Well it's the end of 2018 and moving into 2019... It's the time of year I often reflect on the year that was and look forward to the year that will be. When I look back at 2018 I see lots of travel, school and fun. January 2018 we went skiing at Lake Louise for Jodie's birthday where Nathan enjoy the best chocolate pudding ever at the Chateau Lake Louise and we had very expensive drinks. I had the chance to go for a week to Ottawa to help choose questions for the CAMRT exam and ate lots of good food! I was also able to check off a bucket list item and go skating on the Rideau Canal, which was really much bumpier than I thought, but enjoyed a beaver tail and skated on one leg while I pushed with the other. =)
February we went to Florida with a big family vacation and to use up the last of the Disney tickets we had bought. We were able to enjoy Harry Potter World with mom and dad, pool time with the champion cannonballer and Auntie Karen. Also was excited when Alexis and Bob announced their engagement.
In the springtime, we stayed home and enjoyed a staycation for March break, spent time doing school work and catching our breathe.April I got my hair cut to include bangs, which didn't really work out (again..), went back to Ottawa and Lucas had a blast at outdoor school. Nathan turned 10 (double digits)
May we had a wonderful weekend for Oma and Opa's anniversary in Invermere. It was wonderful to celebrate their lives and be with our family. What an incredible feeling for Oma and Opa to have us all together and be with the whole family they have curated. Darryl and I had a really fun anniversary weekend in Chicago. It's been a while since we have been away, so it was fun to have a bunch of new experiences together.
The summer included more school, hiking, trips to Kelowna, biking and relaxing. School was a big busy two weeks where Darryl took the kids to Ontario and Lucas took his first flight all by himself as he went out early. Nathan did lots of camping with his best friends family while Lucas did lots of biking at COP. School wasn't as stressful as the first year, but maybe cause I knew what to expect.
The fall had a trip with Tammy to see the Avett Brothers in Vancouver, a work trip to Ontario where I had an amazing day with my inlaws. Then we had another family filled fun weekend in Invermere for Alexis and Bob's wedding. Off to Mexico in November for Mom's 60th birthday and some sun and relaxation.
Really when I look at it all it was an incredible year. Work wise, which I now do full time (and have done for a few years now..) was a roller coaster. Lots of change in leadership at the school, a big disappointment not getting a job I really wanted, coming to terms with that and helping to mentor the person who did get the job. But at the end of the year putting on a big event that was successful despite many obstacles and learning to embrace the job I have and being grateful for all that it offers in my career and life.
We are certainly in the glory days with the boys. Travelling with them have been such a pleasure. They can both carry their own stuff, they don't complain when we modify their sleep schedules and they really enjoy all of their experiences. Sometimes I wonder about not putting them in a lot of organized sports and spending our money on vacations, but I do think they are getting a lot from those experiences... although I know they would also get a lot from organized sports too, I guess it's a trade off of what we value. Lucas really embraced mountain biking this year, he loves his bike and would go out biking for hours each day. Nathan is still playing drums and enjoys learning new rhythms. We have been working with both kids on their school work and being involved in their learning.
School has been a big part of the year for me as I did it full time for the year. Lots of learning and the school has inspired my love of learning. I've listened to so many podcasts, reading non fiction books and thinking about where the world will be in the future. It's been a wonderful experience, although I'm writing this on vacation from school, don't ask me how I feel about school the week before a big paper is due. But here I am still writing and have gotten so much better at it.
2018 was a wonderful year in a lot of ways. While there were some challenges, there were so many more fun and fulfilling events.
Till next time and looking forward to 2019
Jenn
