Dots of Life

times, they are a changin'

well, for me anyways.  it has been almost a month since i have accepted a position as a student supervision officer with the hastings and prince edward district school board.  this was a dream come true for me and our family.  since ben was born, i have only worked 2-3 days a week and had such a wonderful/flexible job that would allow me to be with the kids whenever they needed me, or when i needed them.  ben is in grade 6, anna is in grade 3, and adi is in senior kindergarten... and i have never missed a school trip or special event (other when nanny jen or daddy wanted to go along). 

it was always a dream of ours that once adi was in school full time, that i would get a job that would fit around the kids' school schedule.  i always dreamed about working for the school board, but had already made up my mind that a bus driver would be a great and more easily achievable option.  but, by the grace of God, i was blessed with this wonderful opportunity.  my new job is at moira secondary school and requires me to work from 8 am-2:30 pm.  my day is split into 5 periods... first period i am visiting with students in their classrooms to follow up on absences; 2nd period i relieve the librarian and i am loving every minute of my time in the library; 3rd period i am providing student supervision in the halls and the cafeteria and 4th and 5th period i spend in my office, following up with parents or the vice principal on matters of concern.  i can`t believe how fast my day goes. i just love this new role and feel especially lucky to work with such a great team of staff and students. 

though this change was very positive for me and my family, i must say that it does have it`s down side.  unfortunately, i had to resign from my role as an employment specialist with northern lights canada.  i feel immense gratutude to have had the opportunity to work with such a fabulous group of people for the last 10 years.  i have learned so much from each and every one of my colleagues and also from my clients.  i have said many times before... ``how much i loved my job and that i would volunteer and work for free if i could afford it``... and i meant it.  not many people are as lucky as i am, to love what they do so much and i will be forever grateful for my time at nlc.

but as i learn and grow in my new job, i am beginning to feel as though, this is where i am supposed to be at this time in my life.  it fits perfectly with our family and allows me afternoons, weekends, pa days, school holidays and summers with the kids.  as a mom who has to work, but whose thoughts are always with her kids... this is the perfect fit!

happy thanksgiving 2009

thanksgiving weekend re-cap...

 
saturday was spent at the macDonalds.... turkey dinner, family time, birthday celebrations (me and boo).  so nice to have all of us together.  little harper was so good, sleeping pretty much the whole afternoon.  i made sure to get alot of snuggle time in with her!

on sunday, it was dinner at nan and dede's... uncle ron, aunt beth and cousins amanda and brayden joined us too... we really missed uncle shelley, aunt beth, julian and kelsey though!  it just wasn't the same without ya's!

 

oh yes, and on sunday, someone just may have turned (ahem) 36ish!!!!!!!

monday was a lazy day.... well, as lazy as we get around here... a trip to the clinic with the girls, for the worst case of pink eye i have ever seen, followed by a trip to a local vegetable stand and a drive through the country side, with a stop at the cheese factory.  later in the evening, matt and the kids went to the river to get some fishing in, while i took a much appreciated nap.

this thanksgiving we were thankful for so many things... our family, health, jobs, friends, our home, lovely weather, and the opportunity to be thankful!  that, to me, is indeed something to be grateful for! oh, yes... and we are also thankful for orthodontic coverage.... verrrrrry thankful :)

 
 
 

happy 11th birthday benjamin!

when i think of ben turning 11 years old, i can't help but think of the kenney chesney song "don't blink"... "or you just might miss your babies growin'". it really is amazing to me that time has gone so fast.  although he will always be my baby, he is really growing up. 

physically, he is almost as tall as me and his feet are now bigger than mine.  he needs to wear deodorant (it's not optional anymore...lol) and he is into having longer/cooler hair.  he has also developed a small interest in fashion... aeropostale shirts/jeans and circus (aka: expensive) shoes.  if only he would develop an interest in brushing his teeth, without me nagging him!

socially, he is busier than ever... we rarely have an entire day or evening when ben is home with us... he is usually roaming the neighbourhood with his buddies on their bikes, staying at a friends house, playing hockey or hanging in the backyard with some friends.

the thing i love most about my boy is that he still loves to cuddle and hang out with his mama when he gets a chance.  he really is a great kid, who just needs a few reminders sometimes to keep his opinion to himself... but, ya know... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

the birthday started off with birthday wishes on the radio.... ben was not happy that i posted it on the radio... until he won a toppers pizza... then he was okay with it :)

adison and i surprised him with cupcakes for his class... i thought he would be totally embarrassed about this, being in grade 6 and all, but he, along with his classmates, were quite happy when we walked in with our arms full of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes.

after school, aunt mimi, gigi, nan, dede and our family gathered for pizza and cupcakes!  nan played a funny joke on ben... wrapping up a dollar store gun for him to open up.  you should have seen the look on his face... can you say "fake smile".  he was quite pleased when nan pulled out another gift, that contained the exact air guns that he wanted!

on thanksgiving we celebrated with the macdonalds... and he was so happy to get the ripstick that he so desperately wanted... now he just has to master it!

we haven't had time to host a birthday party with his friends, so lucky for him, he still has more birthday celebrations to look forward too.  happy birthday boo... love you lots!
  

campbell's orchard 2009

 
on sunday, while daddy and adison were at a birthday party, anna pearl, ben and i made a date with aunt liseanne, griffin and harper to meet at the apple orchard.  they also brought along poppa bernie, melissa, suzanne, cameron and emily. 

we picked apples, visited with the animals and enjoyed a haywagon ride.  check out this adorable pic of the griz, with his main man cameron.  such different personalities... same cuteness!

i thought it was cute that emily joined right in on the apple picking too!

 

before we left we were sure to grab up a couple of caramel and candy apples.... one of our favourite fall treats.

 

and what would a family outing be without at least one brother/sister squabble.... and i caught them right in the act..hahaha...

but we still managed to get a bag full of apples for some homemade apple crisp and apple sauce.

and one last fave of the day...

million dollar smile

okay so maybe not a million dollars... but after a couple of trips to the orthodontist this week... it is definitely an expensive one in the making.

so far the orthodontist has ordered 5 teeth pulled, a spacer for ben's lower teeth and then braces... probably in the next year or two. lets hope the girls inherit their daddy's teeth!

lifes little surprises

dad is currently on a 2 week respite stay at a nursing home in belleville.  this gives carol a much needed break from caring for him at home. 

in the past month we have really noticed a change in dads health and unfortunately it has not been for the better. it appears that the m.s. is progressing... his speech has become much worse and he often only uses his eyes to communicate; he cannot lift his left arm so he will motion towards his watch to find out the time; his spirits are down... and this is probably the hardest thing for me..... for even though dad has suffered and endured m.s. for over 10 years.... he has always maintained good spirits and an even better attitude.  i can see how tired he looks now, and i just wish that i could do more to comfort him and reassure him that he will be okay.

last saturday, ben and i got up early and pulled off a double surprise... i had called dads nursing home and asked that they have him up and dressed and in his electric wheelchair.... then we surprised him by taking him for a walk to hastings manor, where my grandma hamilton lives.  she has been there for over 5 years and dad has never been able to visit her... until now.  she did not know that we were coming, so when we knocked on the door and wheeled dad in.... you should have seen her face.  it lit up like a christmas tree and so did dads.... oh, how i wish i had a camera to capture this special visit.

grandma and ben took dad for a walk around her floor and she introduced him to all of her friends... it was as if she was showing off a baby... her baby.... she was so pleased and proud.  our visit lasted for nearly an hour and dad was pooped by the time we made it back to his nursing home.  i am really hoping that we can do it again soon....