Life Happens

Where has the time gone?

2009-09-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Wow! I haven't posted in a long time. It has been a great summer and now I am back at work full time. The first week back was very overwhelming and I shed more than a few tears. I just didn't feel prepared - especially because we couldn't even get in the building until 3 days before school started. It was crazy!

Anyway... I'm trying to win a free Cricut cartridge. They are giving one away free in celebration of their 100th cartridge "Winter Wonderland." I have to post a link to enter so...

Winter Wonderland

What's new in Poulinville

2009-08-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

• Lily is turning one on Thursday. This seems so hard to believe. We waited 8 years for her and now the time is just flying by.

• Lily is cruising around the furniture and is a little speed demon. She is definitely a more active child than Arden ever was. I think she will be walking by September.

• Thanks to HL, Lily's nickname is Sunny - as in Sunny Baudelaire from Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. She bites everything. I can just picture her hanging from the edge of the table by her teeth like Sunny in the movie.

• I went all girly girl today - haircut, manicure and pedicure. My toes look awesome! I just went to the nail place in the Chilliwack mall. I will definitely go there again. I really liked that I wasn't forced to chit chat the entire time - it was nice.

• I start getting paid this week! Yipee! But that also means that work is looming. I'm excited and a bit nervous to go back to work. There have been lots of changes at HSS in the last 3 years and I'm not sure where I am going to fit in.

• Only a couple of days until our holidays. I am really looking forward to the family time. I've got the passports and the baseball tickets in my purse already - they are the two things we can't!!! forget.

• We paid to have Lily's birthday up on the scoreboard at the Mariners/Yankees game. Hopefully we don't miss it so I can get a picture.

• It's been a great summer. Relaxing but I feel like we have made good use of the time. We have done some touristy things and Arden has played with friends and done some things like camp and bible day camp.

• One of the students I took to Scotland back in 2006 was killed in a terrible vehicle crash a couple of weeks ago. His service was last Friday and it was very nice. I have great memories of that trip. The student who was killed was Alex Lowe. The other 3 students who went to Scotland were Greg Webber, Kirstie Campbell, and Grace Mofoot. Alex had a really promising future. I was especially touched thinking about him and his girlfriend Larissa. It is so sad that they never got to see where their young love might take them.

Thoughts on turning 41

2009-07-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

• being 40 wasn't so bad - especially when polite people say I don't look 40

• what does 40 look like anyway?

• having a baby makes you feel younger - and apparently look younger to others

• I can hopefully retire in 16 years which means I have been a teacher longer than I have left to work!

• I still like getting presents even though I say it doesn't matter

• I keep thinking about my mom at this age - what was she like? what did she look like? - I was 17 and just graduating from high school when my mom was 41 but I remember her as she was the last few years she was alive not as she was then

• my dad never made it to 41 so I guess I'm lucky!

• I am sad that Aaron will be away again for my birthday/our 12th anniversary - I know he feels bad too.

• I think I am going to stop volunteering my age and just let people think what they want to think

Mickey body parts book

2009-07-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

I made this really cool Mickey Mouse body parts book tonight. I saw it on the Two Peas in a Bucket web site. The lady who made it gave awesome instructions and it turned out really cool! The photos are from the lady who designed it but mine looks exactly the same.

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

2009-07-24T21:21:00.001-07:00

OK, I'm totally in to posting stuff from YouTube right now. This makes me want to get married again - to Aaron of course - just so we could do this. He would love it - not that he likes attention or anything.

LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay) - Piano Cello - by Jon Schmidt

2009-07-22T21:13:00.001-07:00

This is such a good video. I could listen to it over and over. Very cool!

Disney album DONE!

2009-07-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

I finally finished our 2007 trip to Disneyland scrapbook! Yipee!

Missing Arden

2009-07-14T19:15:00.001-07:00

I am missing her soooooo much. I am sure she is having a blast at camp but I miss my baby..... I have been away from her many times before but this is the first time she is away from me. I totally didn't expect to miss her this much. I sent her a card today and an e-mail. 3 more sleeps till she is home again.!

On the upside - Aaron went birthday/anniversary shopping today. I have wanted a family ring since Lily was born but thought they were really ugly when I checked them out - pearl, topaz and 2 peridot don't really go together very well. I hinted that 4 diamonds might be nice. He went to Lee's Jewelers in Abbotsford today! I am such a diamond girl - lucky me to have a husband who likes to spoil me!

Camp Squeah tomorrow

2009-07-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

Arden is off to Camp Squeah tomorrow for a week. She is very nervous. I bribed her a bit by saying I would give her $5 for our holiday if she didn't cry. Hopefully it works! I know she will have a good time, she is just nervous because she has never gone away for a week without us. She has been away from us for that long when we went to New York and PEI and I have been away from her when I went to Scotland and Ottawa. She has always been with family though so it is a bit scary for her. I hope she has so much fun that the time flies by. I also hope she will want to go again next year - that is the best way to know she had a good time.

summer cont.

2009-07-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a bit slower this week.

• Arden has been doing awesome in swimming lessons! A former student is her instructor and she likes that. She is in with kids at a higher level and she is doing as well as them

• starting to gather stuff for Arden to go to camp Squeah. I hope she enjoys it as much as I want her to. We got her a headlamp today which she thinks is pretty cool

• Aaron is coming home tonight and then we are going to watch him tomorrow. I also want to go get the new stroller on the way

• I'm bummed that the adhesive refills I had my friend order for me were the wrong ones. I was sure I told her the right number of my large sticker maker - there's $30 down the drain! I will stop at Michael's tomorrow to get the right ones. oh, I better print off a coupon!

• I finished a really good book - The Book of Negroes - and am now reading The Flying Troutmans - I love summer reading!

• I am really looking forward to our family holiday. I hope I can also get some nice clothes for back to school.

Makin' the most of summer

2009-07-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

So far it has been a busy summer. I am loving every minute of it. There is something so gratifying about making the most of your time. So far we have...

• visited Fort Langley - loved being able to touch and "play" with stuff. I also love the town itself - neat shops and good food.

• stayed over in Vancouver and saw the Jonas Brothers

• went to Granville Island on Canada Day

• visited with Mom and Dad Poulin

• visited with Nijhoffs as they head out on their 7 month adventure

• went to Casa del Rudance for a swimming and good company

• went to Hope Flight Fest and Arden got to go up in a small plane with some of the other cubs.

• I have also read quite a bit - loving The Book of Negroes right now

• we are also enjoying being able to go for bike rides now that Lily is big enough for her helmet - we went over to the Links tonight - had to walk back up the hill past Hazlewoods though - man, I'm out of shape (but Arden couldn't do it either)

• we are surviving without Aaron - but it is only day 2 - the sad part is we have to do it again at the beginning of August - I think I will NEED a nice piece of jewelry on our vacation to "make up" for all of the single parenting.

• tomorrow we are off to Crosgreys for a swim in the afternoon and next week Arden starts swimming lessons.

Jonas Brothers' concert

2009-07-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

I took Arden to this concert and it was awesome! We met up with Brooklyn and Sonya from Houston and had a fun day of shopping and then the concert. It was a great show! I was very impressed. Jordan Sparks opened for them and she was great too - I love her Tatoo song and her new one Battlefield.

Facebook

2009-06-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

I decided to go back on Facebook. I liked to be able to keep up with people without having to phone them. I am being a lot smarter this time. Maureen told me about the changes they made so that only friends can see your stuff. I am also not having students as friends - except for a select few former students.

Ok, I cut my finger today - on the dishwasher of all things - and I am having a terrible time typing.

Farewell...

2009-06-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson, Farrah Faucett and Ed McMahon.

Last day of school

2009-06-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

Arden is done grade 3! Holy Cow! It is clichéd, but man does time fly! It seems like only yesterday she was a baby or that we were sending her off to pre-school then kindergarten. She seems so grown up. I think Lily has matured her a bit. I am so proud of her. She does well in school and is a good person - which is most important to us. One more year at Coquihalla and then she is off to Aaron's school - WOW!

Yearbook fears

2009-06-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

OK, so I am going to be the Yearbook advisor next year and I am freaking out a bit. I am already being asked questions about deadlines, etc. and I know nothing. I'm glad Chris will be there as an advisor but it is such a huge responsibility. I am especially nervous about the students in the class - they need to be great kids with a good sense of responsibility - not just taking it because they think it will be easy. Because I don't know the kids this is especially difficult. There is a workshop in Vernon in September that I will attend but I wish/hope there is something before the school year starts so I don't feel so in the dark.

Will it ever be done?

2009-06-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

Went to my friend Bev's the past 2 evenings - until midnight - trying to get our Disney album done! I have now completed (except for journaling) the Disney part of the trip and am now working through SeaWorld and Universal Studios. I don't seem to make time to work on it at home. I am much more productive when I have a dedicated day either at home with my friends or at one of their houses. I am using the Cricut a lot on this project and have found some cool things on some of the cartridges. Tonight I was playing with Life's a Beach and Graphically Speaking - there is some awesome stuff on those two!

New Neighbours

2009-06-17T20:58:00.000-07:00

I'm soooooo excited. Our good friends H & SL just bought a lot right behind our house. It is awesome news! This means Arden's best friend will live on our street! I can hear it now, "bye mom, I'm going over to Emma's"

What's new

2009-06-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

The school year is rapidly approaching. Aaron and Arden will be done in another week and a half. It is hard to believe that Arden will be in grade 4 next year. She is such a little lady. Too much like me at times.

Lily is settling into a real routine. We were out shopping today and she really is a good baby. I said to Aaron that Arden was a good baby too so maybe we are just good parents - I think I like that theory, LOL.

Umpire season is in full swing. I miss being able to just sit and watch Aaron "do his thing." It is too hard with a baby and an 8 year old. Arden is very helpful with Lily when Aaron is away. I am grateful for this.

Lots of staff changes in the district. It makes everyone tense. I hope that my return to work in September will be ok.

Still enjoying our home and yard. Unfortunately our neighbour mows our lawn occasionally. I appreciate his gesture but he mows it too short and now our front lawn is looking yellow. I don't want to appear ungrateful but I might have to say something because the lawn was looking so great before.

Got three new Cricut cartridges on sale at Michaels on Saturday. I'm looking forward to trying them out.

Bev invited me over to scrapbook on Friday night. Maybe I can actually get my Disney album done!

Arden had two field trips last week. The first was to Hatzic Rock and the second was to Camp Squeah. The Sqeah one was great because she got a taste of what camp is going to be like. I think she is more excited to go now.

Aaron and I are really trying to lose weight and lower our cholesterol. We are eating oatmeal for breakfast three times a week and trying to go for a walk after dinner every night. I am feeling better already. It would be really nice to be down to that size 12 by the time I go back to work in September. I would like to be able to buy some new clothes on our summer holiday and it is much more fun when I can buy them in any store - not just the plus sized stores.

Got Aaron 2 awesome gifts for Father's Day and now I'm not sure if either of them will be here in time - frustrating!

I am in total summer reading mode. I rarely turn the tv on during the day. Got three more books at Costco today.

Had a family visit to the optometrist today. Our eyes are all healthy and Arden has 20/20 vision. My eyesight hasn't changed despite having to hold the book a little further away when reading. The optometrist said I will eventually need reading glasses but for now my light prescription for distances, driving, etc. is good enough. Aaron's eyes have changed a bit but he is still relatively the same.

Ahhh summer

2009-06-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

I love summer! Today it was around 33 degrees, a little hot but no way am I complaining. It makes sleeping a little uncomfortable but at least we have a ceiling fan. We will probably have to break out the portable fans and air conditioner this weekend.

Right now I am sitting on our front patio with my laptop enjoying the peacefulness of our neighborhood. I love this area. Our old neighborhood was so noisy with constant traffic. Here, it is so quiet. All I can hear is the odd train and the frogs in the Suckers marsh.

Birthday Wish

2009-06-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Aaron! I love you and I'm glad you had such a great day today.

"Bloglifted"

2009-05-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

I saw this on RK's blog and decided I needed it on mine too - thanks R.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.25 No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Jon and Kate watcher

2009-05-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

OK, I admit it, I love this show. I just watched the first episode of the new season and cried my way through the whole thing. It looks like their marriage is falling apart - probably mostly due to the fame they have acquired. I'm not going to go into all the details and my opinions of their choices but I just feel so sad for them. Watching a show like this always makes you feel a connection to the people and that always makes their sadness, your sadness too.

Feelin' like summer

2009-05-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

It really felt like summer today. It was so great. I mowed the lawn, Miracle "Growed" my flowers, and took Arden out to the Kawkawa Lake Resort for canoeing with the cubs. The kids had so much fun and some even went swimming. Arden did really great paddling the canoe - I was impressed. They all earned their water craft badge which was really cool. They also cooked hot dogs over the fire. The whole day just felt like summer. It looks like this weather is supposed to be here to stay for a while - yipee!!!

Scrappins' more fun without kids

2009-05-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

Had HL and BR over to scrapbook today. The three girls and Lily were here too. HL and I didn't get as much done as we would have liked as the girls needed our constant attention. Arden was being rude to her friend - not sure why - but I was very disappointed in her. She needs to learn about being more gracious and a better hostess.

It was fun to have my scrapping friends over though. It always brings out my inner Martha Stewart. I made muffins and a fruit platter for the morning, then we had shrimp melts and tomato and boccaccini salad for lunch. For dinner we had lemon and thyme roasted chicken with potato salad and cucumber salad. The cucumber salad was especially good. We had bumbleberry pie for dessert.

I did get quite a few pages done for my Disney album. All I have left are the photos from Universal Studios. Then I have to embellish the pages. Arden is spending the day with Jolena and her grandparents tomorrow so I am hopping to at least get the last of the photo onto pages and maybe even start the embellishing. Oh, did I mention Aaron is in Victoria for the weekend to the 20th Annual Umpire Tournament so I am on my own.

Because the girls were coming over today I did get the house cleaned on Friday which always feels good. Lily was great today, even had 2 naps - even if they were a little shorter than usual. I am so appreciating her better sleep patterns lately.