My BFF

It always amazes me how there can be one person in your life who you will not be in touch with for weeks at a time, but when you finally meet up again, wether it be in person, online or via telephone, it's like time hasn't gone by at all since the last time. That would perfectly describe the relationship between myself and my Best Friend since childhood. I try to always be a positive, happy person, but in those rare moments when I feel discouraged or a little down there is one person who can always bring not only a smile to my face, but a laugh into the room. She is a happy, positive, easy-going, giving, loving, inspiring, Godly woman...and she is my BFF...Sonya. Thanks for all the great times girl, and to many, many more!! ;)

Adventures in Babysitting

This weekend, one of my cousins is getting married in Vegas. My brother was asked to be in the wedding party, so I volunteered to look after my two little nieces. They are three and one. So far, they've been perfect angels...

Baking!

We've done a fair bit of baking in the last few days...chocolate chip cookies, banana bread and peanut butter cookies. The boys have said they wouldn't mind if their cousins came over more often!

Extra! Extra!

This morning when you open up your papers, you will see a familiar face.
It was like Christmas morning for Kenton when he went to the front door to grab the morning paper. :)
On Thursday morning, I went to take Kenton to the Abbotsford News office to submit his speech as a letter to the editor. I hadn't even been home for five minutes when the phone rang and a voice said, "This is Vicki Hopes from the Abbotsford News and we'd like to do an exclusive interview with Kenton." It was explained to him that if he decided to do the exclusive, he could not submit his letter to all the other papers...it didn't take him long to decide!
So, off we went to the News office for Kenton's interview. Later that afternoon, they sent a photographer by to shoot a few pictures. They wanted the shot by the cameras since Kenton mentions it in his speech, so to get a good shot Kenton had to stand on the photographers Jeep. It was very interesting.
We were out for the day when the article was posted to the internet, but when we got home there was a message from Global TV asking if they could do an interview.

*Since then, Kenton has been on the front page of the Province and has met MP Ed Fast and Senator Yonah Martin. Way to go Kenton!

"Bacon is nice...but these guys are not..."

This year, for Grade 6 speeches, my eleven-year old's topic was "The Notorious Bacons". He made it to the quarter-finals, which meant that he presented his speech to the entire gymnasium. He received a beautiful ribbon for his efforts and caught the attention of a few influential persons in our city. A few of our local law enforcement officers heard his speech and asked to forward it to the chief of police and also asked him if he would please consider forwarding it to all the local newspapers, including the Vancouver Province and Sun. We are extremely proud of him!

Tonight, at Sunday dinner, he got up the courage to ask our personal surveillance/swat/bodyguard team for a photo-op!

Believing God

Tonight I skipped Book Club and went to a bible study I was invited to. It's a ten week program of watching a series of DVD's by Beth Moore and working through a workbook. The homework looks really intense, but good. There is 5 lessons to be done each week, each one taking approximately one hour! In the past, I haven't really enjoyed bible studies, but I'm really optimistic that this will be a good experience. After all, life is all about the experience and this year's goal is to challenge myself! I'll keep you all updated....and I welcome any input any of you have for me. :)

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today I want to wish my husband, Chris, a very Happy 39th Birthday!
Love you lots!!

( This is the delicious tuxedo cake we had... )

Beautiful!

My Valentine's flowers looked too beautiful sitting on the counter in the sunshine not to share with everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's Day was just a nice, ordinary Saturday. Something I haven't had in awhile. I worked for a few hours this morning, then went to watch Kenton play soccer. It was soooo cold out there! Later on, I went for a run since it was so nice and sunny out. I definitely warmed up quickly. :) After a warm shower, I caught up on all my blogs, then it was time to make dinner. I had bought steaks earlier in the week, so I had saved them for tonight. Along with potatoes, mushrooms, yorkshire puddings and some veggies...it was the perfect dinner. Now Chris has gone to drop the kids off at friends' and get me some chocolate! I'm looking forward to a nice, quiet evening....

My sweethearts....

Third Annual Girls Ski Trip

This weekend four of us girls went on our third annual ski trip. The past two years, we have gone to Manning, but this year we went to Baker. I love Baker!

We rented a condo in Glacier, Washington, which is less than 30 minutes away from the top of the mountain and about 30 minutes away from home. How much more perfect can you get? The condo complex had a pool and hot tub too.

We left on Friday around lunch and headed down to Bellis Fair to pick up some new running shoes, then we headed back to Glacier and checked in. Later, we went for dinner at a little restaurant attached to the local corner store, then went back to sit around and chat over a few glasses of wine before turning in early for the night.

The weather on Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. What a perfect day of skiing! We even accomplished a few black diamond runs since the conditions were so great. On Sunday, two of us went skiing, while the others decided to take it easy. :) It was another great day...beautiful weather, great fellowship, and a few new undiscovered runs.

Next year's trip promises to be even better!

Ms. Independence

The last few days I've been busy learning little things that I've always wanted to know how to do by myself. My husband is the computer whiz around here, so whenever I've needed something I've just asked him to do it for me. But the last few days, I've had to learn on my own and I'm glad.
One of the projects I've been wanting to find time for is arranging all our photos from the trip with took with the kids last year and making it into a movie. It took me about a day and half to scan in a bunch of pics, arrange them, put in transitions and then set it all to music. I've already done a power point presentation, so the movie wasn't anything new, but burning it to a cd was an accomplishment.
Another thing I've never done myself, unbelievably for nowadays, is download songs to my mp3 player. It actually was really easy. I've learned a lot about limewire and where your songs get stored on your hard drive and all the rest.
So, that's what I've been up to the last few days. I love this little machine more and more each day...

A Rebel At Heart

Well, now that NaBloPoMo is finished, I was going to be rebellious and not post tonight, just because I don't have to...but I wanted to!

A few weeks back, Sonya had this on her blog and now it's time for me to make good on my part of the bargain...

Be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post, and I will send you a handmade gift! How much fun does that sound? You then need to post the Pay It Forward challenge on your own blog and make a gift also for your first 3 commenters and so on it goes. :) The gift can be in any price range you like and you have 365 days to send it.

I've always been a great fan of this movie and the entire concept, so my goal is to do a Random Act of Kindness once a month and blog about it. Sound like something the rest of you would like to get in on? Can't wait to hear all about it!

I Made It!

I've always been known as a random blogger, so I'm extremely proud of myself that I blogged everyday this month...and I've got to say that I really enjoyed it. Of course, there were nights I didn't really feel in the mood, or I was too tired, but it was a great accomplishment. I look forward to being a more consistent blogger in the future and making many more friends.

Ten Things I Like...

Ten Things I Like that Start with "D"....

1. Daisies...they are one of my favourite flowers.

2. Dawn and Dusk...and anything else that has to do with the sun.

3. Donuts...I love them way too much for my own good.

4. Dad...he's a great guy!

5. Diamonds...and any other bling.

6. Dance shows...I know...pretty corny, but I love them!

7. Dark chocolate...any kind of chocolate really...

8. Dana...she's a great friend of mine. :)

9. Decorating...interior, Christmas, etc.

10. My favourite colour ends with "D"...red!

I'm Tired!

My back is throbbing,
My head is bobbing.
My skin is bumpy,
I'm feeling kinda' lumpy.
My eyes are puffy,
My hair's lookin' scruffy.
My mind is in a fog...
so that's it for tonight's blog!

Domestic Day

Today, I had the day off and spent it doing domestic chores. (I did sneak in a quick lunch with my mom though) Actually, every once in awhile I really enjoy being able to play the "stay-at-home mom" role. I turned on "Regis and Kelly" and "The View", although I didn't actually watch much, and proceeded to do a bunch of laundry, vacuum, bake banana bread and make an old favourite for dinner.

My dad used to make goulash after church on Sundays...goulash being shredded potatoes and onions with eggs cracked over top. I hadn't had it for years, so decided to make it with italian sausage added in and cheese melted on top. I thought it turned out pretty good.

Now I'm going to go finish off my day by watching some TV and sampling my yummy banana bread. I've been told my recipe is a good one, so I'm going to share it with you.

Banana Bread

1 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 egg

dash of salt

splash of vanilla

3 medium bananas

1/2 cup margarine

Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Enjoy!

Sebastian

Our new kitty, Sebastian, has definitely been making himself at home. The first few days we got him, he was scared of us. Now he searches us out to pet and cuddle him, and we're usually happy to oblige! He has also become very playful...

Handy Girl

Today I finally bought a bookshelf that I've had my eye on for a few weeks now. I'm so excited because I don't think I've ever had a bookshelf since we've been married. I fell in love with it instantly. As soon as I got home, I set to work putting it together...all by myself. All the books on my bedside table inspired me to set it up in the corner of my bedroom.

Love Is...

Love is very patient and kind,
never jealous or envious,
never boastful or proud,
never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable or touchy.
It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice
when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice,
but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost.
You will always believe in him,
always expect the best of him,
and always stand your ground in defending him.
All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end,
but love goes on forever.

I Corinthians 13:4-8
The Living Bible

Where The Sidewalk Ends

When I was in elementary school, one of my favourite books was "Where The Sidewalk Ends", a collection of poetry by Shel Silverstein. A few years back, I noticed it in one of the boys' Scholastic Book Orders, so I bought it for myself. Here's a favourite...

Sick

"I cannot go to school today,"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox

And there's one more-that's seventeen,

And don't you think my face looks green?

My leg is cut, my eyes are blue-

It might be instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,

I'm sure that my left leg is broke-

My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My bellybutton's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,

My 'pendix pains each time it rains.

My nose is cold, my toes are numb,

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,

My temperature is one-o-eight.

My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There is a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what?

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is....Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!"