volunteering at my kids' school.

have i told you i'm volunteering at my kids' school?  

if i haven't told you..

well..

i am.

when the boy began junior kindergarten i was able to bring the girl with me to different things his class did.

she thought it was the greatest.

he asked me to, so i'm assuming he loved it too.

this year the girl began school.

i send her three days a week.

the boy is in grade one.

i know this amazing lady.

i met her when she was an amazing camp counselor.

we worked together at camp for a few years.

we became friends.

actually it's impossible not to love her and call her friend.

she adores kids.

she's a teacher.

she's currently the library teacher at my kids' school.

honestly...

if i were to think back to our days at camp i would have laughed had you said she'd be the library teacher at a school.

she's crazy, and i love her for it.

she wears her heart on her sleeve.

she loves each and every kid that comes through the doors to her library.

she called me up one day, asking if i'd like to volunteer to help her out in the library one day a week.

"ok"

that's right, no hesitation.  i didn't need to think about it.

i wanted to volunteer in the library.

at my kids' school.

i love books.

i love reading.

i love learning.

i love watching kids learn to love all of that too.

and most of all i love to be volunteering in the school that my kids go to.

on those days that i am in the library i am only there for half a day.

but...

the highlight?

my kids come at first nurtrition break and eat with me.

we spend some time together.

we eat.

they choose a book and i read to them.

then back to class they go.

i've been in when the girl's class has come in, and i've had the opportunity to assist.

since the new year i've now been there when the boy's class has come in, and been able to assist.

i used to be behind the counter, at the computer doing the circulation of the books.

now there's a lady who is coming in to do that and other administration things.

my volunteer position has been changed.

my focus is the bulletin boards 

*which usually became my priority anyway*

and assisting my friend as she teaches the classes, in whatever way she may need.

i love monday mornings.

i am getting to know the kids in the school

and a few of the teachers, and office staff.

we're beginning to work on a wall dedicated to getting to know the teachers and staff in the school.

i'm excited about that.

we put up an Winter Olympic themed bulletin board, 

and on my run this afternoon i had some more ideas for it.

i am so thankful for the call i received.

my mom volunteered when i was in grade school, 

in the library.

i remember looking forward to going into the library and seeing her.

i love that my kids feel the same.

and when i get home i can go for my Monday run.

(like my segway haha!)

***

it's getting colder again.

i did not really want to run on the weekend, but, 

i have a schedule and i'm not going to break it.

date: saturday Jan 18

time: 8:20am

distance: 4.5K

temperature: -5*C

running buddy: no one.

remind me not to bring the dog next time...

he's about 110LBS and excited...

i didn't want to run at the pace he wanted.

then when he finally slowed to a fast walk he wanted to sniff or attempt to pee at every snowbank.

i don't know if i was worn out from the cold, the speed, the pulling him away, or just because i had had a smoothie.

date: monday jan 20

time: 1:30pm

distance: 4K

temperature: -17*C

running buddy: Jack Jack 

i'm wearing my husband's toque with ear flaps.

i love it - he doesn't.

i will wear it if i want.

Terry Fox Run

So, on Sunday the 18th, i participated in the Terry Fox Run again.
this year my dad joined us.

it was a family affair.

My mom wasn't able to run or walk it with us so she stayed at the start/finish line cheering us all on.

Dan and the boy biked the 10km.  the boy loved it, riding his bike attached to the back of Dan's bike.

My dad pushed the girl in the jogging stroller as he ran & walked the 5km.  I was very proud of my dad for doing this with us.

I had our dog, Jack, with me as i ran (with a little walking) the 5km.

What awesome weather.

beautiful sunshine and  the temperature... so warm.

we all did it separately but we were definitely a team.

i was honored to run it again to help cancer research.

date night 2

i had date night with my daughter.

we went biking.
we brought our dog... he loves when we go biking.
we just rode to an orchard nearby and spent a little time there before having to head back to our home before the sun was down too far. 
we had a great time that night.

i love our date nights...
dan took the girl canoeing.

Mother's Day

When asked "What do you want to do for Mother's Day?"

I generally answer the same thing.

"Let's go for a hike."

I love hiking and being out in God's spectacular creation.

 

This year we went on a hike on the Saturday,

after a morning of yard work.

The dog didn't do so well in the car...

(let's just say he barks really loud!)

The kids did amazing -

the girl didn't need to get in the backpack at all

- her first official hike.

We hiked to a dam &  waterfall. 

Wilson's Falls.

One thing that I loved:

Dan watched the kids while he let me wander and snap some photos.

So nice to be able to do that.

some wishes come true.

Have you ever said or wished something and then only a mere moment later have it happen?

Not a positive wish.

One that you didn't really mean, but it was a frustration or angry moment and the thought/words came before you could filter them.

I had one of those on friday.

Our dog has been a handful this past week.

He has not been listening.

I have been quite frustrated and annoyed with him.

Friday i put my daughter to her nap and went out to see 'Jack'.

There he was

playing in the ditch

down by the road.

I called him.

He looked at me, cocking his head, as if debating what to do.

Why come when he is doing something wrong.

...to sum up he did finally get out of the ditch and ran to the back edge of the yard.

On my way to the house to get the chain i started venting - to no one in particular.

"i hate this dog.

I'm sick of cleaning up his poo

I'm sick of him not listening

i just wish he'd run on the road and get hit.

but what I hate is that I'd miss him,

i'd cry.

i'd actually miss the annoying dog."

and I continued to complain.

I came out of the house, attached the chain to the pole and called Jack.

IMMEDIATELY, from the road...

THUMP!...

WHIMPER.

I ran so fast to the front of the house

I knew exactly what happened.

there was a pick-up pulled over on the side of the road, with a lady exiting it-crying

She hadn't seen him until he jumped onto the road - from the ditch on the other side from our house

I had just wished it.

I HADN'T MEANT IT!

Thankfully, he wasn't lying anywhere.

in fact... he wasn't anywhere.

we searched, called his name.

another driver had seen the hit and saw him run across the street and up into the bush.

My neighbor - who I am SO THANKFUL for - went out looking for Jack as I had to go in with my kids.

My neighbor spent the next hour and a bit looking in our back bush.

When dan came home he and his dad joined the search.

the boy and I prayed Jack would be alright.

just over 2 hours from Jack being hit

Dan came home walking a very sore, banged up, scared dog!

Jack has some wounds.

but he is ok. 

I am so thankful my full wish hadn't come true.

Be careful what you wish for!