tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200395852024-03-07T10:52:36.161-07:00My Life In A NutshellJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.comBlogger1397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-12981543657469925342024-01-03T15:06:00.001-07:002024-01-03T15:06:36.838-07:002023<p> Hi All, </p><p><br /></p><p>Here is the yearly post for 2023 - and man it was really eventful. We went on some really great trips, moved Oma and Opa out of their house, Lucas and Nathan both finished at their respective schools and Oma and Opa both passed away - in about a month from each other. I started a new job and continued to do good work in my field - which led to an amazing trip. It was a year of carpe diem - saying yes to lots of cool opportunities. </p><p>Jan and Feb were fairly uneventful - a lot of time was spent on the renovation of the bathroom. There was some skiing and hiking and dinners out - but most of the time was spent on that space. Luckily it was completed in the spring and it's just what we had envisioned. </p><p>March we took that kids back to their homeland of Amsterdam for the last March break for both kids. We started in Belgium and had an amazing time. We did some food tours, spoke French and visited lots of small towns around the country - Brugge, Ghent and Leuven. Leuven was our favourite as we had our own personal tour guide. We stayed in a great Air BnB in Belgium as well and ate lots of good food. Then we took the train to Amsterdam and had profiteroles and mint tea - with a big sprig of mint. We stayed on a boat in the canals - ate good food, went to museums and more museums, took boat rides and enjoyed our walking around. It really was so fun to be the four of us together on trip. </p><p>In the spring Nathan went to Ontario and Quebec with his school and I went to Gatineau for the conference. Both Lucas and Nathan graduated from their respective schools, including Lucas with his French diploma from high school. </p><p>Spring also included a job change for me - it was a bit unexpected, but I am someone who tends to throw their hat in as I love learning and growing. It's been a good opportunity for me - even though I loved my other job as well. Very lucky in my career to have lots of good opportunities and to always take those and learn and grow. </p><p>Summer included a trip to Colorado with Nathan and Tammy to see the Avett Brothers for 3 nights. We stayed in a hotel with a pool so it was a lovely vacation of chilling poolside in the day and singing and dancing all night. It also included a few trips to Kelowna. Oma and Opas's health was not great and so the trips were largely to move them here to Calgary. We still found time for swimming and enjoying some of the regular activities we did in Kelowna - ice cream eating, and jumping off the dock. However lots of time was sorting and cleaning through their things. </p><p>The fall continued to be eventful with a birthday paddle boarding and a trip to Ottawa for leadership training. We spent a lot of time with Oma and Opa as their health continued to decline. Opa passed away at the end of September and then Oma in mid-November. In fact she passed away the day after I got back from my big trip to the Middle East. While their deaths are sad and had an impact - their lives had a much bigger impact on me and my whole family. I was lucky to always be so close with my Oma and Opa spending lots of time with them throughout all of my years. Whether it was as a baby when I lived with them and Oma use to babysit me or when we lived around the block from them when I was a teenager. I was also close with them all throughout my adult hood, going twice a year to see them in Kelowna. They had a significant impact on my time and well-being. And while I will miss them and my so fun affordable summer vacations - I feel so much gratitude and joy about how much time I did get with them when they were alive. Another reason why 2023 reminded me what a lucky lady I am! </p><p>In late October and most of November I took a trip of a lifetime to Egypt, Qatar and then Mexico. I was able to fly first class and experience very different cultures and ways of life. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity and proud and glad of myself for expanding an opportunity and doing something out of my comfort zone, travelling to Egypt on my own. </p><p>Over the year I continued to do lots of yoga and started more classes with weights. We skiied and hiked and swan. My health continues to be good and I'm glad that I'm not limited with my activities. The kids continue to do well - Nathan in high school and Lucas is working. </p><p>Here is a video highlighting some of the fun stuff of the year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dypr8wkBo9AAbxVqzL3nDm_3t1Mf7MULMUEy_FXFWnv6Iss-KPhfs2OZBNdx5NmNUSrP4wdszW2Yig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>For this upcoming year, I don't have a lot of goals - 2023 was so great, it's a lot of keeping doing what I'm doing - seizing opportunities, travelling and being present to enjoy all the good times. The unknowing of what will happen is the gift. For health - continue to stay active and have fun. Go to the doctor on a more regular basis. Keep walking the dog daily. For relationships - continue to reach out to people, especially my sister, however, continue to cultivate all relationships. Have patience with the kids while they are figuring out their paths. Work - the promotion I'm in is technically a temporary one - so we will see what happens by the end of the year. I continue to work at the hospital and so we will see if that continues in the new year. I do really enjoy it, but sometimes it can feel alot with the other work I do. </p><p><br /></p><p>Well this blog is really not read by many any more - and I think Oma and Opa were one of the few. So a few less people this year - however I do love to go back and reflect on the years through these posts. </p><p><br /></p><p>Wishing anyone who does read a happy and healthy 2024~!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-75468259348130886432022-12-30T11:19:00.001-07:002022-12-30T11:19:55.004-07:002022 - Reflecting and Goals for 2023<p> Well here again I sit at the end of the year and reflect on the year that was and make some ideas for the year to come. I love coming back each year and reading a few posts. They are good reminders for me as well as it's a good opportunity to practice writing and recording the time that I have on this earth. A few years ago Lucas really enjoyed reading about his life as a baby as I had a few of the years made into books. Life gets busy and there is much more focus on online privacy now, however, I think fewer people look at the blog vs. friends I have on social media. =) </p><p>So 2022 like all years had both its ups and downs, although I think with all of it there was growth. Growth as a parent and partner, growth as a leader in my field, and with the people I get to guide. As always a highlight of the year was the trips I went on. I love my teams and my work and so glad I got to do that again this year. I did lots of yoga and got massages and tried to figure out the hybrid work balance. I helped the kids to learn new things, be thoughtful, consider multiple angles and enjoy their families. </p><p>January/February included lots of winter enjoyment - hiking and skiing. Winter here is long so it's good to find ways to enjoy it. Luckily there is lots of suns so it makes it easier to enjoy. </p><p>Spring - we had an awesome time surprising Nathan for his birthday to go to Disneyland! And walked till our feet were exhausted. We loved all the rides, but especially the new Star Wars ride. It was so much fun to be together the four of us for all of that time. </p><p>I also got to go to Vancouver as I am part of the board for our National Association. I'm so grateful to have a career that I am passionate about and the opportunities through work to do some volunteering. As we all know volunteering is work - so it does add to my plate - however, I get to meet great people and learn and open my horizons. </p><p>Also in Spring took a super memorable trip to Europe! It was so fun to do Paris and Italy. Remember how good the food is, how easy it is to get around in Europe, and the beauty that is there. </p><p>In summer we enjoyed trips to Kelowna and lots of paddleboarding. Sully is a great adventurer for all of these activities. We had lots of time with best friends in Kelowna too - so great that Oma and Opa are still well enough for us to go and enjoy that beautiful summertime location. Our friends Cory and Adam were married and we enjoyed a day in the mountains with them. </p><p>Fall included starting grades 9 and 12 for the boys! Crazy that it was Lucas's last year of school and Nathan's last year of middle school. Darryl was also able to 'work from Ontario' for 2 weeks in October and spend some quality time with his family. In November we had a great family trip to Mexico. We finished off the year with a great Christmas and more skiing!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3S-hpUhN-Go" width="320" youtube-src-id="3S-hpUhN-Go"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>After some challenging years with 2020 and 2021, 2022 was a really good one. Work settled to more forward-looking than reactionary, and I got to take lots of good trips. Enjoying the volunteering work I get to do as well. </p><p>Now looking forward to 2023... I'm hoping it will be more of the same. Everyone stays happy and healthy. We have a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium planned for spring and another Mexico trip in November. Lucas will graduate from high school and Nathan from middle school! The bathroom will be done and we will have done hundreds more walks and adventures with Sully. </p><p>As for goals, I think lots of it is continuing with what I'm doing now - keep up with the yoga and meditating. Walking and doing activities. I bought Darryl pickleball paddles for Christmas so we will give that a try. I'm going to try and drink up lots of the tea I have in the cupboard before buying more. Work on being more sustainable - less meat, less buying clothes. Going to more concerts and having more experiences. </p><p><br /></p><p>Until next time! </p><p>Jenn</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-4432539717589865402022-01-01T10:03:00.000-07:002022-01-01T10:03:00.611-07:00Reflecting on 2021<p> Happy New Year! As we move forward into 2022 I always enjoy this time of year to reflect on the year past. I think it's good to take some time to think about all that we have accomplished and learned. One of my big questions to people this year has been about your biggest lessons from 2021. There have been lots of good and different answers for where people are in their lives. I think my biggest lesson is how much I value some of the small things in life. 2021 was a challenging year where a lot of that was taken away until we were vaccinated. Even when I look at my lists of what happened throughout the year, once we were vaccinated the different things really grew. However coming back to all of those things was amazing, but it made me realize the value in some of those mundane things - like driving to work. Seeing people in hallways at work. Going to the yoga studio, having those smells and sense of community. Being in an airplane and having my feet on soil from another country. It has been a good takeaway from COVID and this crazy last few years is how much I appreciate a lot of the little things. </p><p>We were lucky this year to go on a few trips - our usual Kelowna trip was extremely smoky. To the point where I thought we might go home early - however, it rained the first day and that seemed to really help. We also made it to Panorama and Fernie in the summer and a whole week spent in Lake Louise. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country that summer was spent, again this year, exploring and enjoying it. Plus Darryl got a new bike and so all of the biking in this area can be enjoyed. </p><p>I was also able to fly on an airplane twice! We all had a wonderful family trip to Mexico. It really was such a wonderful time where we got to spend quality time with my family. It was such a great time to reconnect with everyone. We ate great food and got lots of good vitamin D. I was also able to go to Ottawa for a volunteer board I work with. Darryl and Nathan traveled to Ontario as well to surprise his mom and spend time reconnecting with his family as well. Again so nice once we were vaccinated to feel like we could do a bit more of those things. </p><p>Here are the resolutions I made last year to see how I did:</p><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Read 12 books - I'm almost done with <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=the%20vanishing%20half#suggest=1&internal=1" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Vanishing Half </a>(an excellent read) and next is <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/greenlights/9780593139134-item.html" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration-line: none;">Green Lights</a></li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Not quite on this one - I got to 8 books. Although 8 great books. Two of my favorites were the 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Anxious People. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Donate blood 4 times this year - this was a regular practice for me in the past, but it's has fallen off in the last few years - I would like to get back to it. </li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">This became a regular practice again, I got up to 3 times this year and sign up for the next time once it's offered. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Decorate bedroom: Last year we got rid of this big TV that was unwatchable in our room and the year before that a shelf that was above our bed. We really need some new art and other decorations in the room to make it look and feel like we do - grown up. =)</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Nope - this one did not happen at all. Something to consider for this year again. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Buy original art - This goes with #3, but also would like to invest in more local artists. Starting at <a href="http://www.linehamhousegalleries.com/" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Lineham house Gallery</a></li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Nope - again one to consider for this year. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Find 3 new podcasts</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Boom - hit this one out of the park. Found lots of new podcasts - with my favourite being No Stupid Questions. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Learn to make 3 new cocktails - this is a continuation of Christmas where we learned to make Old Fashioned's and Moscow Mules</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Nope - just continued to drink those two....</span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Have less debt</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">This got better with the lack of traveling. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Donate more to charity</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">I'm not sure on this one - after looking at our taxes from last year I did pretty good in 2020. We will see what 2021 shows. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Take up one new activity</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">While I wouldn't say I took it up - we tried cross country skiing and it was really fun! </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Use a journal to follow through with goals, use a planner to create bigger goals at work as well, don't get caught up in the things that do not matter as much. </li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">This one was pretty good. I used a planner for work last year and really liked it. While it was mostly used for day to day, it also helped with some of the bigger goals. I would also say I was pretty good with not getting caught up in the things that don't matter. There were so many curve balls thrown at us this year (maybe not as many as 2020, but still pretty damn close) and I was able to navigate all of them pretty well. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Listen more - ask more questions. Work to be more of a coach. </li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">This one I think I can still work on. While I feel like I'm becoming better at my work and as a listener, I can still work on it. I must say that both Lucas and Darryl do a good job of calling me out and making me more reflective on my communication skills. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Hike 21 times</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">So close - 20 hikes in 2021 - which may be a record for me. I became quite the hiker this year. One week I did 5 hikes in a row. This year for Christmas I got chairs you can carry in your backpack and set up at the top of a hike. I got hiking poles for my birthday!</span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Paddle 12 times</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Only half way on this one - 6 paddles. Although I really loved them all. My most beautiful paddle - Moraine Lake was this year too. It's certainly one to do again. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Plan 12 date nights</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Darryl and I did quite a good job with this one - lots of fun date nights and even date days. High fives for us!</span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make 21 new recipes</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">I'm not sure we got to 21, but we did make lots of fun stuff. Fresh pasta, fried doughnuts are some of the highlights. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">For one month drink 1L of water a day and start each morning with water and lemon - record how the water makes me feel. </li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">I did really great on this one two - probably for the first 6 months of the year I would drink water with lemon and it was a great way to start the day. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Take two courses</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Did not do great on this one - lots of learning this year, but not as structured as I've done in the past. A good one to move forward. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Plan 21 family games nights</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Not great on this one either. </span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Go to the spa for a day</li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">This list is going downhill.... but this is one I should for sure move to 2022!</span></span></div><ol style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Less time on social media- this is also a continuation of this year, I have put the limit for 1 hour a day this year and that is a helpful reminder when I end up scrolling and scrolling. </li></ol><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">This one I was quite good at this year - generally 1 hour or less. It went up a bit over the holidays. But in my day to day life it's generally pretty limited. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Well, I have to say overall for me 2021 was a pretty good year. I was quite active which I love to be - lots of walking Sully, some golfing with ladies, and lots of hiking. I got to go on a trip which I was really missing and interact with a variety of people again face to face. I recognized the value of being beyond the screen and will take them forward into 2022 and probably for the rest of my life. I think one of my other really highlights is watching my children grow. While I think they are missing out on some of the teenager things, I have really been able to spend quality time with them and they are a few of my favourite people. Each night we have dinner together and I'm so impressed with the conversations we have and their perspectives on life and what they have learned. I feel so honoured to be their mom and learn so much from them. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">I hope everyone else had a good 2021 as well. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">Jenn</span></span></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-52469864432019835252021-01-03T09:05:00.003-07:002021-01-03T09:05:28.056-07:0021 Things for 2021One of my new found passions in the last few years has been podcasts. I regularly listen to about 5 or 6 different ones a week. One of the ones I enjoy is <a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/">Happier by Gretchen Rubin</a>, where she and her sister give different ideas to help to improve your life. I really appreciate the honesty and practicality in this podcast though because between the two of them they talk about what works for them and how they implement it - but also that lots of the things are hard to implement. One of the things they recommended for this year was to create a 21 Things for 2021 list. I'm a lover of setting goals and New Years always seems like a great time to refocus and change things around. Plus this can be lots of fun things - you'll see in my list there are some great things:<div><br /></div><div>Jenn's 21 for 2021</div><div><br /></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Read 12 books - I'm almost done with <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=the%20vanishing%20half#suggest=1&internal=1" target="_blank">The Vanishing Half </a>(an excellent read) and next is <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/greenlights/9780593139134-item.html">Green Lights</a></li><li>Donate blood 4 times this year - this was a regular practice for me in the past, but it's has fallen off in the last few years - I would like to get back to it. </li><li>Decorate bedroom: Last year we got rid of this big TV that was unwatchable in our room and the year before that a shelf that was above our bed. We really need some new art and other decorations in the room to make it look and feel like we do - grown up. =)</li><li>Buy original art - This goes with #3, but also would like to invest in more local artists. Starting at <a href="http://www.linehamhousegalleries.com/" target="_blank">Lineham house Gallery</a></li><li>Find 3 new podcasts</li><li>Learn to make 3 new cocktails - this is a continuation of Christmas where we learned to make Old Fashioned's and Moscow Mules</li><li>Have less debt</li><li>Donate more to charity</li><li>Take up one new activity</li><li>Use a journal to follow through with goals, use a planner to create bigger goals at work as well, don't get caught up in the things that do not matter as much. </li><li>Listen more - ask more questions. Work to be more of a coach. </li><li>Hike 21 times</li><li>Paddle 12 times</li><li>Plan 12 date nights</li><li>Make 21 new recipes</li><li>For one month drink 1L of water a day and start each morning with water and lemon - record how the water makes me feel. </li><li>Take two courses</li><li>Plan 21 family games nights</li><li>Go to the spa for a day</li><li>Less time on social media- this is also a continuation of this year, I have put the limit for 1 hour a day this year and that is a helpful reminder when I end up scrolling and scrolling. </li><li>Leaving open for something else to come to me....</li></ol><div><br /></div></div><div>Like Gretchen recommends I do a check in with these either monthly or a list every few months to see how I'm doing. That's a great part of the blog is it is quite easy to find and refer back to. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-53235276993825609212020-12-31T10:18:00.001-07:002020-12-31T10:18:09.505-07:002020 A reflection<p> Well, the one thing I seem to be consistent with on this blog is reflecting on the year past and making plans for the year future. I only did half of that last year and reminiscing about what a good year 2019 was, but not setting goals for 2020. In some ways, I knew 2020 was not going to be a great year and that 2019 was such a good year that there was nowhere to go but down. While this sounds much more negative than I normally am - it turned out it was very true. And really way more stressful of a year than I could have predicted. </p><p>I can see how the stress of 2020 is making us more resilient, but I can also see how tthe struggle affects people. Whether it's my kids and the switching from in-person to online learning or my coworkers who have had to navigate working in such a different working environment. I hope it, in the end, it brings more grit and determination to the people in my life, but 2020 is the year I've seen myself and others struggle through those times. In 2021 I hope to see the struggles decrease and everyone have time to reflect on what they have overcome. I often found comfort this year in talking with my Oma and Opa - who also had significant health struggles and them reminding us that they live through a 4-year war - spent very little time in school, had no food or freedom, and they are the strongest people I know. </p><p>Of course, there are many really really great things that happened in 2020, the biggest is that we added Sully to our family. The second is that before the pandemic we went to some faraway places and after the pandemic, we did some great exploring of our own backyard. </p><p>Before the pandemic we went to Mexico with the big family</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-8i2tEkBFgZV6lUq9BomcRD7d-0qZh4KOrCP2VU_YGGHb2ixadKVkinuDn3DfE5eJheAKArnPZaL81sVAXE4yIK9yAd_ZTC-2VPqImRVtm03ZEKk4M8vV3GcNzR0-UdwpK-VWg/s2048/YSiBaAh7ToCvov%2525ixW0OlQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-8i2tEkBFgZV6lUq9BomcRD7d-0qZh4KOrCP2VU_YGGHb2ixadKVkinuDn3DfE5eJheAKArnPZaL81sVAXE4yIK9yAd_ZTC-2VPqImRVtm03ZEKk4M8vV3GcNzR0-UdwpK-VWg/s320/YSiBaAh7ToCvov%2525ixW0OlQ.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9UgfUg6RtEWgJzXq9pPZlaAUo-v5ratMtQ1V8mA8InSV06mi_7RJxNPSGTEBiJ_1GyiVuXRilk26Ppj732fdUatvQULCluEFL_BwAC3o8KN0hx40Yd8kiz-_WK7LJkjIPqNyOA/s2048/1xGIReIBRTmxaNX1Sg5sdA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9UgfUg6RtEWgJzXq9pPZlaAUo-v5ratMtQ1V8mA8InSV06mi_7RJxNPSGTEBiJ_1GyiVuXRilk26Ppj732fdUatvQULCluEFL_BwAC3o8KN0hx40Yd8kiz-_WK7LJkjIPqNyOA/s320/1xGIReIBRTmxaNX1Sg5sdA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adjustments to working or doing school from home! Missing people but having other company...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Tn3zDolksinT5irrdLI0Q9y6m1mlRcudEdX2aMjZHG_YSKmAUi6ieWihunMB97s1Pbu84uk4Xs7SLprsWYqCRJQsZ0WwQraNpb5ClaG_E7Oc4X2-1RZeamMx8oo7-nniGLxcJg/s2048/y5mjg5ghQaSW1275hbukQQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Tn3zDolksinT5irrdLI0Q9y6m1mlRcudEdX2aMjZHG_YSKmAUi6ieWihunMB97s1Pbu84uk4Xs7SLprsWYqCRJQsZ0WwQraNpb5ClaG_E7Oc4X2-1RZeamMx8oo7-nniGLxcJg/s320/y5mjg5ghQaSW1275hbukQQ.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jNaWjsY4dFeC8calgDKlXjiCGBH96rWZRA6PWWb2eGhf9hhpFGhWNx_QIFB1l-yEnpeIAXPN5FZIMydmC7LT25AaFrOg63DEWKxGqhBrBHlqyci-mr5cZA5aJ6Q11m1AQJha9Q/s2048/m1rJXQDbS9OTFmPIE8g26Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jNaWjsY4dFeC8calgDKlXjiCGBH96rWZRA6PWWb2eGhf9hhpFGhWNx_QIFB1l-yEnpeIAXPN5FZIMydmC7LT25AaFrOg63DEWKxGqhBrBHlqyci-mr5cZA5aJ6Q11m1AQJha9Q/s320/m1rJXQDbS9OTFmPIE8g26Q.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">July 1st was Ptagarmin Cirque - although we were not prepared for the wet and cold of the hike. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgRRQTfbK6hWO9e_ScQqzVwd0nr9ymexEvYoj2QRivCeZ-krVL6WOhyUkvY1P1N-tiRuOFpfT6Ee4c-l8F3pJHFxMZ6isxEbKRmwFD-1IlbGfJymqeDdUq6xUBV4gh_mJy0C4uw/s2048/Xkn8qce8RFaWsUMz%252BdNauA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgRRQTfbK6hWO9e_ScQqzVwd0nr9ymexEvYoj2QRivCeZ-krVL6WOhyUkvY1P1N-tiRuOFpfT6Ee4c-l8F3pJHFxMZ6isxEbKRmwFD-1IlbGfJymqeDdUq6xUBV4gh_mJy0C4uw/s320/Xkn8qce8RFaWsUMz%252BdNauA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first visit to the Dominican Republic - where the sand was amazing and the beach didn't bother me!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS3LYedaxK6fD6RTOsFMTPaxZAqp-_nhsYup53oBHLOPRchr5mIk7Zv_1Rkm4GHJqj6KcuuICGpH04X9w8G9jjbrD8eC-gAJmTfo1Pn6TxdU_IiaGZ-tzfWLJMTO2S34IqXQYug/s2048/wa9A3XlgT%2525izXH%2525pJTcqFw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS3LYedaxK6fD6RTOsFMTPaxZAqp-_nhsYup53oBHLOPRchr5mIk7Zv_1Rkm4GHJqj6KcuuICGpH04X9w8G9jjbrD8eC-gAJmTfo1Pn6TxdU_IiaGZ-tzfWLJMTO2S34IqXQYug/s320/wa9A3XlgT%2525izXH%2525pJTcqFw.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking in Panoraman</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43PEK5gbf5KczaswxzdxGd6ZekpJWhcCgl_KS9lFdAWZGdgfgNFt-BhPu5z6g_sq6mmo0W07BIMS4yqKKL9xgcxsC0GFt84HfXnL_BR5BegC9Oqn1PFm3n81D2sd68rZnRzjUvQ/s2048/vX43ZToTTjCXHYkqQJaSqw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43PEK5gbf5KczaswxzdxGd6ZekpJWhcCgl_KS9lFdAWZGdgfgNFt-BhPu5z6g_sq6mmo0W07BIMS4yqKKL9xgcxsC0GFt84HfXnL_BR5BegC9Oqn1PFm3n81D2sd68rZnRzjUvQ/s320/vX43ZToTTjCXHYkqQJaSqw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pickle Jar Lakes Hike</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSojNEtudvGQKCQExfsTtCKJGwkzZ4LLkEAmiskz2FbjmxEGh_BKvG-Kg7kV5H7bbECiKRISYObQFPx0EuOo94d2AUpcq26pof7ZykO6ThC8RSFsDZdX4AZZz34jmPmcafXI_bbQ/s2048/V2kZoXgMTomqnKjuv2C8hQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSojNEtudvGQKCQExfsTtCKJGwkzZ4LLkEAmiskz2FbjmxEGh_BKvG-Kg7kV5H7bbECiKRISYObQFPx0EuOo94d2AUpcq26pof7ZykO6ThC8RSFsDZdX4AZZz34jmPmcafXI_bbQ/s320/V2kZoXgMTomqnKjuv2C8hQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking at Big White</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWTgvQFIAg7bjzS-xT_Ghe_K018YKExZs__LL9sPPQrcNMB0EwrD6wF_OZfzajsTECMWSi6QtXWbLBReFm5a2ZweMwMtChtda2PcN2j-KYnEZShtdynWZNH0Eky01Yry6sTT6Dw/s2048/UAvT6SS8RYWIxqd4U3gBVw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWTgvQFIAg7bjzS-xT_Ghe_K018YKExZs__LL9sPPQrcNMB0EwrD6wF_OZfzajsTECMWSi6QtXWbLBReFm5a2ZweMwMtChtda2PcN2j-KYnEZShtdynWZNH0Eky01Yry6sTT6Dw/s320/UAvT6SS8RYWIxqd4U3gBVw.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ptargarmin Cirque again for my birthday!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzA2qOFIFAOlax318xaM9bDnkaOgr-WJrdiNLof-1IzZ03M3GNTbig9aqQcWMZVl9-lJVVzxEB1VqEZ9PUXYn25UXJYKBoOXtK_o_afTWzeXJ3U2k2_OCHRM7FKBGIYXA9nwccw/s2048/Rbl7sv9fSE2bPq4yBs6vDw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzA2qOFIFAOlax318xaM9bDnkaOgr-WJrdiNLof-1IzZ03M3GNTbig9aqQcWMZVl9-lJVVzxEB1VqEZ9PUXYn25UXJYKBoOXtK_o_afTWzeXJ3U2k2_OCHRM7FKBGIYXA9nwccw/s320/Rbl7sv9fSE2bPq4yBs6vDw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Paddleboarding in Golden</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6BOC5a5hRRoPgS_es8QLhdDL2zASle4lGpkPe9keOeZIup1VWMhHsWAtbOsPqlSfHfygzMHI8pkA5mqF1kWe9JAZhZai8fRjggPMBh5wG7VWrIHQ5u1w8AGU9OSGK_pWNMexsg/s2048/PYuvDTFESrKV93wYq8D85g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6BOC5a5hRRoPgS_es8QLhdDL2zASle4lGpkPe9keOeZIup1VWMhHsWAtbOsPqlSfHfygzMHI8pkA5mqF1kWe9JAZhZai8fRjggPMBh5wG7VWrIHQ5u1w8AGU9OSGK_pWNMexsg/s320/PYuvDTFESrKV93wYq8D85g.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So much yoga at home! I did get to go back to the studio for a bit and cried with joy to be back there. I'm sure the same will happen again when I get to go back to 2021. Not quite the same doing yoga at home but still glad I could continue my practice. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0OMu4nXWyVVasSOuU1ZUzh_5TruXD8d8fqAWocem-1ecO7baSUeCS6qxltCFYBzZApW_HRqUJe3onlf6SaPC1E5Befsu5llek_knTNs-d1tUJaaAfROMkhZGFKFUSAetng_IMQ/s2048/Po2LVKoMQI6VqddjiJ0rmQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0OMu4nXWyVVasSOuU1ZUzh_5TruXD8d8fqAWocem-1ecO7baSUeCS6qxltCFYBzZApW_HRqUJe3onlf6SaPC1E5Befsu5llek_knTNs-d1tUJaaAfROMkhZGFKFUSAetng_IMQ/s320/Po2LVKoMQI6VqddjiJ0rmQ.jpg" /></a></div>Working in health care this year became it's own phenomon. So much respect for everyone who does this every day. I continue to do it a few times a month as it is a career that I love and enjoy being reminded of the work and the benefits. But it was scary at times to go to a place when everyone else was under strict instructions to stay home. And to care for people when we didn't know all of the information. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SIXVn8QpRvfuCtmxp4YknVN4ggKUnzmh1ZXvNDGORCH8B535jc-QMcuNrcvRFGEVZrq4rDzWQBaKvYm0YjyhhWmO4zo9GzRhMLz0J6xPG1POENHmzFy71-KOJKxzPsIoU0Nc7w/s2048/oH9QM4NzQte52jqhpKZ9bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SIXVn8QpRvfuCtmxp4YknVN4ggKUnzmh1ZXvNDGORCH8B535jc-QMcuNrcvRFGEVZrq4rDzWQBaKvYm0YjyhhWmO4zo9GzRhMLz0J6xPG1POENHmzFy71-KOJKxzPsIoU0Nc7w/s320/oH9QM4NzQte52jqhpKZ9bw.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did some great home improvement things this year as well, built a fire pit, redid the side stairs and more recently put doors on the office as we all try to live and work in the same home. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzL42L20bt1SZtEC5gg7Za6a5XdvPXE-J3HyIWOIhcSzMyMUU3YCethYQWMWU2lEjKNLJbBGV0p4w_j3ygua1VvJglc5KifqnyAf6qTYf6zjWpAY2etMhfSCpDv_Qv46Pj9YcFg/s2048/O98cmuVXRmCZEjGyMGrI3Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzL42L20bt1SZtEC5gg7Za6a5XdvPXE-J3HyIWOIhcSzMyMUU3YCethYQWMWU2lEjKNLJbBGV0p4w_j3ygua1VvJglc5KifqnyAf6qTYf6zjWpAY2etMhfSCpDv_Qv46Pj9YcFg/s320/O98cmuVXRmCZEjGyMGrI3Q.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the fun close to home spaces to explore was Jasper. The pandemic was a good opportunity to see places close to home where we had never been before. Here is the angel glacier and the Valley of the 5 lakes and Spirit Island. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_k_ClgXbOWzs0VxWfweGvZV4kawBRdcAbWRM2QZ_-O_ib55HAtYpmSURWWHftZL90DuKmDBADhn6pNqFnHf039LE2nj3V9IqQk6OXKTTuYL9j1LpugacQ3MKW_lXOxnXDEc8Kg/s2048/O08TtWKaQ92VcoxS10Ji%2525Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_k_ClgXbOWzs0VxWfweGvZV4kawBRdcAbWRM2QZ_-O_ib55HAtYpmSURWWHftZL90DuKmDBADhn6pNqFnHf039LE2nj3V9IqQk6OXKTTuYL9j1LpugacQ3MKW_lXOxnXDEc8Kg/s320/O08TtWKaQ92VcoxS10Ji%2525Q.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-CwctxACRUM4h9j22x8Lhfow3t1Cg1kI_KRDPesjXP_QpbNDfz-7auMenz-G62NfYPjp25VWJwhbrw0EG3MasSzCtyzpb24fdl8Zz3w-087Usq0g-dHEEsk2n_7V4XONhY3qHA/s2048/h3JJ8mDFQUi9Sam0CPF4qA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-CwctxACRUM4h9j22x8Lhfow3t1Cg1kI_KRDPesjXP_QpbNDfz-7auMenz-G62NfYPjp25VWJwhbrw0EG3MasSzCtyzpb24fdl8Zz3w-087Usq0g-dHEEsk2n_7V4XONhY3qHA/s320/h3JJ8mDFQUi9Sam0CPF4qA.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJEvbDr4IIMHZH498IJc6jEEXeTKE4W7FNl0RmXv7lOpfnihzmtKt-VR4MvvNjcxQhSAK37vZ6EPjeFd2uicO92L2KbfG65hQmSHGcNGEOjnpJWc9l4uQOKOyU6P8-JuiZXnH_Q/s3086/f2d6ZgNdQ2S5WJynQtp9%2525A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="3086" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJEvbDr4IIMHZH498IJc6jEEXeTKE4W7FNl0RmXv7lOpfnihzmtKt-VR4MvvNjcxQhSAK37vZ6EPjeFd2uicO92L2KbfG65hQmSHGcNGEOjnpJWc9l4uQOKOyU6P8-JuiZXnH_Q/s320/f2d6ZgNdQ2S5WJynQtp9%2525A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is our first picture of Sully. He has been a real joy during the pandemic. Gave us something else to focus on, keeps us active and gives the kids something to take care of. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuz2YTruZNTFONtLY_YGNyQKAE82zlIAf43FWYdahpWzVU7kJE_5HC1kTllNRmQ3BiFUar5MIw9xO2W8LA6t8FvF3E3nkHcVQdDGpb33Gf3X_UQE0obv1kevyofkCjdTUk8aoiQ/s2048/MS2W52SyT%252BeuZ4Cf7o3v4g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuz2YTruZNTFONtLY_YGNyQKAE82zlIAf43FWYdahpWzVU7kJE_5HC1kTllNRmQ3BiFUar5MIw9xO2W8LA6t8FvF3E3nkHcVQdDGpb33Gf3X_UQE0obv1kevyofkCjdTUk8aoiQ/s320/MS2W52SyT%252BeuZ4Cf7o3v4g.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many birthdays and celebrations this year - through Zoom!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxw6Yr4ODMMeiwEDaPxf-4GGRxRmng86yL30ohk4-5OzT59MN2yLHdg-ZxpjPQiOSGusUZERxj-8PHcgCkQCn96J3iGKH_kzGGpmpPI3EWnYc_7QsSjhOsvH5jrisdCMS5pVJwQ/s2048/MG2qMeR%2525QEO%2525dlSPjnyx7A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxw6Yr4ODMMeiwEDaPxf-4GGRxRmng86yL30ohk4-5OzT59MN2yLHdg-ZxpjPQiOSGusUZERxj-8PHcgCkQCn96J3iGKH_kzGGpmpPI3EWnYc_7QsSjhOsvH5jrisdCMS5pVJwQ/s320/MG2qMeR%2525QEO%2525dlSPjnyx7A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Nathan finished grade 6 - and although it was a weird year to graduate the school still did a great - socially distanced celebration. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ouXytSsYd9zD4t0Lg5H3Xewegv-kbM3BW64OLvMJ4MQCV6SifWCW_3W8ZNS0iCvDo2CfHmLN-LinM6fC0doYlwAvGvJfgjogx7PtqdjejxggzUULii0_VzUg5cD0gxSS3-c3GQ/s2048/jaCaPAk9T02%2525XcUpcihyuw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ouXytSsYd9zD4t0Lg5H3Xewegv-kbM3BW64OLvMJ4MQCV6SifWCW_3W8ZNS0iCvDo2CfHmLN-LinM6fC0doYlwAvGvJfgjogx7PtqdjejxggzUULii0_VzUg5cD0gxSS3-c3GQ/s320/jaCaPAk9T02%2525XcUpcihyuw.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-maHhFNUJqxTwa-yMCQCozQNDjBW3us_R6pdQnAAPpO8auSQ2iecyUhtMwFUqjyWC-W5QRlFE8kp6OVqtHP7W1FC-i_s5L1oRPLyEHlhUBtoLMYiHJ0JTKhCHo-qpIuJj49N4vg/s2048/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-maHhFNUJqxTwa-yMCQCozQNDjBW3us_R6pdQnAAPpO8auSQ2iecyUhtMwFUqjyWC-W5QRlFE8kp6OVqtHP7W1FC-i_s5L1oRPLyEHlhUBtoLMYiHJ0JTKhCHo-qpIuJj49N4vg/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking Ribbon Creek</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxIXwzZv_kGtBUFVegUR8DrhPMlrqe2Imzq_azH1YmOmROXhUCj75QcyDd8cBi8M0nOPnCglLwqH57YY45hpzKhfmo33Dl5gKToi4YksexZBVD3jgSda8O30eOj8lCoyeLmq7Jg/s2048/IMG_7020.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxIXwzZv_kGtBUFVegUR8DrhPMlrqe2Imzq_azH1YmOmROXhUCj75QcyDd8cBi8M0nOPnCglLwqH57YY45hpzKhfmo33Dl5gKToi4YksexZBVD3jgSda8O30eOj8lCoyeLmq7Jg/s320/IMG_7020.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Paddleboarding on Lake Louise</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVKBJPTB8VRYKrBqaFhHIJNZibs6Qj6vc2UZYOtqO4A0T_v1PfyEBrvtoc5FQAfdA5UP4cNW5Dar7p9R_ndXd3yoA1As610dNd4cXETjlPJoHSR_0LcDLMGFuV1hJ1RsXYnOtcw/s2048/IMG_3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVKBJPTB8VRYKrBqaFhHIJNZibs6Qj6vc2UZYOtqO4A0T_v1PfyEBrvtoc5FQAfdA5UP4cNW5Dar7p9R_ndXd3yoA1As610dNd4cXETjlPJoHSR_0LcDLMGFuV1hJ1RsXYnOtcw/s320/IMG_3078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking Grassi Lakes</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0LnFbPxHSaaLHC4CN-6U2RK5_KnHZ2dfgYepladOJCXH1oQYwXchou3rrK5MhQiTN9oqa8U1ah8JzT5vNyqP-Ku2pWkQZOSpqjZZ5gxL-yn97WUeNtd1RmgfEmAvzCgTT74hNg/s2048/IGbQP3SpScGXxOVUEtNYVQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0LnFbPxHSaaLHC4CN-6U2RK5_KnHZ2dfgYepladOJCXH1oQYwXchou3rrK5MhQiTN9oqa8U1ah8JzT5vNyqP-Ku2pWkQZOSpqjZZ5gxL-yn97WUeNtd1RmgfEmAvzCgTT74hNg/s320/IGbQP3SpScGXxOVUEtNYVQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luckily we still were able to go to Kelowna this summer. While things were unsure for a while I'm still so glad we got to go and see Oma and Opa and enjoy our traditions. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwlEX8azCaYm1iOg3Rl-5K-0Y4NBv6MJfj-EAYG-ZZsdleFKtGAot1ieuSJ0qJR85YKTgQrrp-f3yG6YfXvo_0M-DQwK5pdYtq3q0TBLc6Pf6GosXGOE30XmI8gYm9p9yU__8IA/s2048/iB%252BCAwhRSRWDnvt4dM%252BCdg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwlEX8azCaYm1iOg3Rl-5K-0Y4NBv6MJfj-EAYG-ZZsdleFKtGAot1ieuSJ0qJR85YKTgQrrp-f3yG6YfXvo_0M-DQwK5pdYtq3q0TBLc6Pf6GosXGOE30XmI8gYm9p9yU__8IA/s320/iB%252BCAwhRSRWDnvt4dM%252BCdg.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWyGSHI-CzBir2hBJ4ERPS2J7fjcLkQpW5BUPhm0ng8KsKMGSxF8rAYwOL1hhDS8mWQAR5ssoN8TnknpEaYQvbawXKg4_r3hR_ta8R8tRYEWeuAvlVcz-vi7WqSPPVyoiRaOkqg/s1391/FE7DBD1B-2D26-494C-9E0B-DCF296168CC9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="1391" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWyGSHI-CzBir2hBJ4ERPS2J7fjcLkQpW5BUPhm0ng8KsKMGSxF8rAYwOL1hhDS8mWQAR5ssoN8TnknpEaYQvbawXKg4_r3hR_ta8R8tRYEWeuAvlVcz-vi7WqSPPVyoiRaOkqg/s320/FE7DBD1B-2D26-494C-9E0B-DCF296168CC9.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sully's First Hike Fullerton Loop</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UiwC-pV-gFoI0SPZHTxvsgZwKfuV7auLeyFYQXoJcAli7Lrd53n8pHFbxyxAMmOaCHg9ZC9wqKRUtDNwPBqK6ZnRF_R6uc-YzlUKJiIcPNnrrejal8enDs49rk5diKnWqXO3Xg/s2048/hz7gojYTT0y7LxIWU9EWfg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UiwC-pV-gFoI0SPZHTxvsgZwKfuV7auLeyFYQXoJcAli7Lrd53n8pHFbxyxAMmOaCHg9ZC9wqKRUtDNwPBqK6ZnRF_R6uc-YzlUKJiIcPNnrrejal8enDs49rk5diKnWqXO3Xg/s320/hz7gojYTT0y7LxIWU9EWfg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sully loved all the swimming this summer. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_K4YD-er0G7vOBLFU3UzVJxeMxYAS0dDB6KR5hrNChTEughF7k4hkL69UyFDLfR2cOW-M8hMalimz3ydEY0o9npgFpOsemkCygElhtaniKEuaryLLq_hF_tb8PzcS3TzC5YJJQ/s2048/dRnTr0hLTaODguuSD1H%252BFA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_K4YD-er0G7vOBLFU3UzVJxeMxYAS0dDB6KR5hrNChTEughF7k4hkL69UyFDLfR2cOW-M8hMalimz3ydEY0o9npgFpOsemkCygElhtaniKEuaryLLq_hF_tb8PzcS3TzC5YJJQ/s320/dRnTr0hLTaODguuSD1H%252BFA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking Boom Lake. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t6_REKlelxr_JUYl-N1ML25RWIv7OiSB3wMBlU60q7cdeRolzWIV2sfAJtWzX_DFTNpnnKKjf81Qnmp0WjkAnMhcKMziVYyMs1m6ysc-vhFTUaGurjNp7qzdBd8n9Q0FqgyDGg/s2048/bV5N10FvTV6nzaM2P2D9MQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t6_REKlelxr_JUYl-N1ML25RWIv7OiSB3wMBlU60q7cdeRolzWIV2sfAJtWzX_DFTNpnnKKjf81Qnmp0WjkAnMhcKMziVYyMs1m6ysc-vhFTUaGurjNp7qzdBd8n9Q0FqgyDGg/s320/bV5N10FvTV6nzaM2P2D9MQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking Elbow Lake</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtjwrL1LbnDXMjwQNn7PUkmg85TkR9nAqEBhVxKQnjY1LpO8Ai2esR1DF9fgJeUbaLHdq8tyk2MCu11NkcL9AqaHudfv0LkdF4PIB6HHQe3_ZBg4x7L8o9s4uMhhn81dlCu3EqA/s2048/9TwRU%252BEpSyugZlSFXIT4iA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtjwrL1LbnDXMjwQNn7PUkmg85TkR9nAqEBhVxKQnjY1LpO8Ai2esR1DF9fgJeUbaLHdq8tyk2MCu11NkcL9AqaHudfv0LkdF4PIB6HHQe3_ZBg4x7L8o9s4uMhhn81dlCu3EqA/s320/9TwRU%252BEpSyugZlSFXIT4iA.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Going to Montreal (pre lockdown....)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkwKaE2W07vO2swF1wLYPBMcY9sKIkL83IEdoRUZ2QnRZXubptWtLxSMZn_Ph6fdEC9rLSx7ga7PEy8xdO94MmSA8Lyt2sM67AmDBVtyE7Z6GGkOdeb1hEN_biJnzVSvi-PPeVw/s2048/9gm0t%2525ujTDCL4%252BN9sdjJHg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkwKaE2W07vO2swF1wLYPBMcY9sKIkL83IEdoRUZ2QnRZXubptWtLxSMZn_Ph6fdEC9rLSx7ga7PEy8xdO94MmSA8Lyt2sM67AmDBVtyE7Z6GGkOdeb1hEN_biJnzVSvi-PPeVw/s320/9gm0t%2525ujTDCL4%252BN9sdjJHg.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCmWKG199pGSlcDDVi91HJwHjFL816Fj20Gj0DuCa31FjUozsyjliLGlAlXgvRORCgctRVDVuITWLWvTAzyCKG0rAzTHy7cDgMacfjiAxBtFi9UmZ2I66U1LIHwE-rgX2Jo1i1Q/s2048/8ZlPFcOkSUKiPI8GQ%2525e0eg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCmWKG199pGSlcDDVi91HJwHjFL816Fj20Gj0DuCa31FjUozsyjliLGlAlXgvRORCgctRVDVuITWLWvTAzyCKG0rAzTHy7cDgMacfjiAxBtFi9UmZ2I66U1LIHwE-rgX2Jo1i1Q/s320/8ZlPFcOkSUKiPI8GQ%2525e0eg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A very windy Columbia Fields Glacier</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6zcwbJmSVfCMzNmhuVHSHkM0UMVnXNeDI7NMUmsh_zxvsUvSmcpCsBw1sdy0QqatYSersoiurO9FFW187BY2dI-CXe2xghGeUtuUn2csz6lGXI9Yg-_0q9BgVLD84LL1UKXL_A/s2048/8ejy5F7sSgeO4jOzU6Bsmg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6zcwbJmSVfCMzNmhuVHSHkM0UMVnXNeDI7NMUmsh_zxvsUvSmcpCsBw1sdy0QqatYSersoiurO9FFW187BY2dI-CXe2xghGeUtuUn2csz6lGXI9Yg-_0q9BgVLD84LL1UKXL_A/s320/8ejy5F7sSgeO4jOzU6Bsmg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking and paddling around Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRFJq1cUIVyNE9fONyIr4xxn0uLRo9eNp-9SitB2wEGeyH6Q9CWC19T5-BNDHtfC94X7ov_k5s03bkqUQzga0t2TtvpnUh2ErW5iCpp11gIWw4T4Er6wbkDMNt-rb_aa2qXitrg/s2048/2e6tXdcLQE%252BGQoVeDBrHgA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRFJq1cUIVyNE9fONyIr4xxn0uLRo9eNp-9SitB2wEGeyH6Q9CWC19T5-BNDHtfC94X7ov_k5s03bkqUQzga0t2TtvpnUh2ErW5iCpp11gIWw4T4Er6wbkDMNt-rb_aa2qXitrg/s320/2e6tXdcLQE%252BGQoVeDBrHgA.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1QyXI4DnULILa5w_bHv83N-hvaumcxabPwr66zWNxo-o1BpOwRtNcpPV3RhY1_L2sywkX2kiu9ldaPl3uvbKXKYyeEgcg0ZiLGBazQohFr6DnliRfIjZLEqSZVS_dZ7MD-Q1GQ/s2048/0kgALONSQumqKziuZP6zGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1QyXI4DnULILa5w_bHv83N-hvaumcxabPwr66zWNxo-o1BpOwRtNcpPV3RhY1_L2sywkX2kiu9ldaPl3uvbKXKYyeEgcg0ZiLGBazQohFr6DnliRfIjZLEqSZVS_dZ7MD-Q1GQ/s320/0kgALONSQumqKziuZP6zGA.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>So as you can see 2020 ended up having lots of hiking and walking with the dog. It was a great way to enjoy nature and destress from the constant changing of rules. Plus you can see we had a great time discovering our own backyards. Felt very lucky to live in such a beautiful place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next post will be a look at 2021 and what I'm hoping to achieve and look forward to in the next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jenn</div><div><br /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-48657022453531340812019-12-31T11:07:00.002-07:002019-12-31T11:07:17.058-07:002019 in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, holy mackelnoly what the year 2019 was! And really what a decade it was too. One of the greatest parts about having the blog is the joy of going back reading my thoughts on the present moments. While we get the same sort of things through facebook memories, it's nice to see its long-form on the blog as well. </div>
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2019 started with yoga January, skiing and the craze of Marie Kondo and trying to organize the house. Mostly though, it was so busy with school and taking two classes in the winter semester. I put a lot of time into reading, researching and writing. In fact, I think I only skied once in the winter because of the work, but also cause it was so darn cold! </div>
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In March things got a little crazy, I took Japanese exchange students to Lake Lousie for a fun day, went to Prince George to do accreditation and two days later we flew to Japan!</div>
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It was certainly the trip of a lifetime. We have spent lots of time reflecting now that it's been done for months and remember what an incredible time it was. We saw so much and walked a lot, but our favourite parts were being immersed in a culture that is so different from our own. Reflecting on the things we love about that, but also remember what we love about our own culture. I'm sure we'll never forget the ramen, that was so delicious. But we've also come to appreciate the multiculturalism of Canada and all the different types of food it brings. We loved the safety and that everyone grew up with the same values. We loved the digital art museum and the baseball game. The speedy trains and using our google maps to get us everywhere. I think all 4 of us would go back in a heartbeat and that is saying something for a place that was sort of chosen for its cheap flights. </div>
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Spring came and I finished my last course to complete my masters of education. It was a really incredible journey that changed the way I think and opened my eyes to so many possibilities. While I'm glad to be done the intensity of learning in a masters education, I am so grateful for the experience and to go through it with some really great people. The intentional learning that happens and discussions with a group is the best part of it. You learn so much from differing perspectives. </div>
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Another big opportunity happened for me just as I was finishing my masters in that a job I had been hoping for for a couple of years became available. The timing was perfect and I was able to move into the position. I am so grateful to be able to lead people in my field to train the next generation. Here is a picture of me standing on stage at the graduation congratulating the new graduates. I was so happy to be there, as it's been something I've wanted to do for years. </div>
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Like all the summers of the decade, we spent some wonderful weeks in Kelowna. This year the adventure was that the first night we were there Oma broke her hip. This caused lots of time at the hospital while she was recovering from pneumonia that caused her to fall out of bed and then for the surgery to repair her hip. Luckily we still had lots of lovely time at the beach, reading and drinking wine in between. <br />
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This fall had more work and trying to figure out the balance of the new job with the rest of our lives. It had my graduation and a work trip to Chicago. The boys are both the oldest in their school and growing confidence that comes along with being the unofficial leaders on a day to day basis. They are both excelling at hobbies, Lucas is a mountain biker extraordinaire and Nathan is becoming a really great drummer.<br />
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As I look through the last decade of blog posts I am so grateful for this incredible life I have been leading. To watch the boys grow over the last 10 years is the most precious gift I have been so privileged to enjoy. Summers spent in Kelowna and hiking, winters spent on the ski hills, these last 10 years have been so rich with experiences of life. Days of singing and laughter. Times of coaching and setting boundaries and other times of letting them grow and learn, it has been an amazing decade.<br />
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The numerous vacation with so many people whether its summer trips to Kelowna with Darryl or Tammy. New York with Mackenzie, Mexico or Florida with the family or Best friend concert trips with Tammy by life is so blessed. We have also had some incredible family trips and learned the value of life in Canada, each other, being adaptable and our different strengths though the Europe trip, extended California vacation and Japan. <br />
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Yoga became a big part of my life over the last 10 years as well and helped to shape my outlook and attitudes about day to day life and the people I'm privileged to have learned from.<br />
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Of course, there have been some challenges. I laughed when I read the summary from 2010. We lost family members and pets. But it's incredible to look back and see how those hard things produced some really wonderful things in the end.<br />
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2019 was really an incredible year, thank you to the many people who made it possible.<br />
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Jenn<br />
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Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-56604556348692457532019-01-01T10:55:00.000-07:002019-01-01T10:55:02.573-07:00Looking forward to 2019Well after talking about how much fun 2018 was it's time to look forward to 2019 and what is coming and what I'd like to manifest more of in 2019...<br />
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2019 will shape up to be a pretty big year for me! We are going to Japan in March which I have never been to Asia before so I'm very excited for that and so excited to experience it with the kids. I'll also graduate with a Masters degree which is so important to me and a big check off my life list. I'll also turn 40 this year... which I know is only a number, but still probably half my life. Although it's amazing to think about all of the things I have done and it's only half over!!<br />
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Now to think about some specific things for this year.<br />
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1. Less meat. Two-three meatless meals a week, at least and in lunches less meat too. More lentils, avocados, eggs etc. Going out, eat less meat, choose meals without meat. The reason behind this is for both our health and the environment. <br />
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2. Less buying stuff. 100$ a month of 'fun spending' and the rest towards savings. Especially in these first couple months of the year, but overall as well. More money towards travel. We have our big Japan trip in March and accommodations there are expensive, so more money towards those experiences that I remember forever rather then sweatshirts that I don't need. =)<br />
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3. Hug my family at least once a day. Especially Lucas. Nathan and Darryl are both huggers, so I probably hug them everyday already, but a conscious effort to hug all three of them everyday this year. <br />
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4. Cultivate more of the things you love and don't worry about other stuff. I think sometimes things I see in social media make me think I should do them...but a goal for this year don't run, don't take baths and don't feel like you should. Instead do more yoga, eat more chips, go on more vacations, stay home and smile, laugh and relax.<br />
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Okay 2019, bring it on!!<br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-77683542054926068442018-12-28T10:38:00.001-07:002018-12-28T10:38:08.915-07:00Reflections on 2018Well 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. =)<br />
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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.<br />
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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)<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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2018 was a wonderful year in a lot of ways. While there were some challenges, there were so many more fun and fulfilling events. <br />
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Till next time and looking forward to 2019<br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-13059802440978999442017-04-07T15:47:00.000-06:002017-04-07T15:47:30.630-06:00To Nathan on His 9th BirthdayDear Awesome Nathan,<br />
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Today you turn 9 years old and you have been excited about it for a while now. Mostly since getting home from Europe, but even a bit in the few months before. Birthdays are quite fun at this age and we don't have any of your parties until next weekend, but it's a good week of celebrating. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU9QBuRZOVH0UKcjd_tBxZwCV5_CSYObOxbnmbByTHcVmFL9Ju1ZnSZ_UH0WNsqABeCScKlBXIS7j-BZt-pylT-dSmTdL5MlZm3Wg23-aXn7yGT-8iVUWFBw-beAydqIJeMkwaQ/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU9QBuRZOVH0UKcjd_tBxZwCV5_CSYObOxbnmbByTHcVmFL9Ju1ZnSZ_UH0WNsqABeCScKlBXIS7j-BZt-pylT-dSmTdL5MlZm3Wg23-aXn7yGT-8iVUWFBw-beAydqIJeMkwaQ/s320/IMG_3366.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimakqFrDRTpDxwCdsStmMWNw3rohFLiOom5bneezYFgsr6G31hC9vEZRicZBODgwBxnCRkOvtDc3PaEk0PwFhRUSsWuDRM3nk2H1V3UVtwEQTNOffPvqu9tdaOFdSdG0IVr-ILg/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimakqFrDRTpDxwCdsStmMWNw3rohFLiOom5bneezYFgsr6G31hC9vEZRicZBODgwBxnCRkOvtDc3PaEk0PwFhRUSsWuDRM3nk2H1V3UVtwEQTNOffPvqu9tdaOFdSdG0IVr-ILg/s320/IMG_3378.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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I usually write you and Lucas letters on your birthday although while reviewing I don't think I did it last year. But back on the saddle again this year. This year was a pretty good one for both you and the family. We did our big Europe trip which you did really awesome with and then there has been swimming lessons and camps and summer time fun. You are at an age where you are really easy to get along with and also really enjoy the company of your family. I'm lucky that you are such a great kid. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y4BmGf_BKNRnE8y6-v0i03BO4jNtvBbKXTXJZgZHaXvPhsjAwhdqMsMS-HC0mt3m9vAbwZ3WEyQz8YlZnESh0a2MzgYpgB8CouYDfyi9G_MA3a9W7FvU0bh0wWEjkkAMUIKfNw/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y4BmGf_BKNRnE8y6-v0i03BO4jNtvBbKXTXJZgZHaXvPhsjAwhdqMsMS-HC0mt3m9vAbwZ3WEyQz8YlZnESh0a2MzgYpgB8CouYDfyi9G_MA3a9W7FvU0bh0wWEjkkAMUIKfNw/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcipkwHxgepni58SnXn3ZCNNcPQO30cHvae5nat_tRBUNR4XrYt5jPtRTTEQKSSzyEfdeWq6BwIhTmGV1tCEQXpPiA5tGqTQbK-dU4CSf0Rq7fDIgoG51blOM2u3z7HPr0pd3rvw/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcipkwHxgepni58SnXn3ZCNNcPQO30cHvae5nat_tRBUNR4XrYt5jPtRTTEQKSSzyEfdeWq6BwIhTmGV1tCEQXpPiA5tGqTQbK-dU4CSf0Rq7fDIgoG51blOM2u3z7HPr0pd3rvw/s320/IMG_3502.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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In all of our different activities you are a pretty easy going kid. You'll have an opinion on something, but rarely is it a sticking point for you if we don't follow your opinion. "Sure, I'll do that' is a Nathan phrase we hear a lot. You are quite easy to get a long with. This means you usually have lots of friends too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkaor074nasIDEImT8V0fZIQhd9mnmbUMVgQBmpyyQCYzWe1iiapcElnKHNGfQJwDDnEEzlYhwu4mT-eJ6etT6PSWVWH4BUp6o_rl1HeTVPKVXh-v79tLpKON6_IpU6KazRlDGw/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkaor074nasIDEImT8V0fZIQhd9mnmbUMVgQBmpyyQCYzWe1iiapcElnKHNGfQJwDDnEEzlYhwu4mT-eJ6etT6PSWVWH4BUp6o_rl1HeTVPKVXh-v79tLpKON6_IpU6KazRlDGw/s320/IMG_3644.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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You are quite a loving, trusting and affectionate person too. You love to give hugs and snuggle. You are trusting that if we ask you to do something you know it's usually not beyond your capabilities. You may balk at it for a moment, but if we encourage we usually get a 'Sure I'll do that". You are willing to try different food and be more daring that way. It'll be interesting to see if as you continue to grow how you feel about more challenging tasks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0lYxjkjzjjkDvau3uFF-rqdAoOjfMBzEA6HogVZj26-3yBclqwfaESfnjOaEJPhUistlieFcBs4-jPra-bXC_dyYntZ-xd0hbcAMomTupo1-Gm773VCb3uqdrlhJaZZmjEHiLQ/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0lYxjkjzjjkDvau3uFF-rqdAoOjfMBzEA6HogVZj26-3yBclqwfaESfnjOaEJPhUistlieFcBs4-jPra-bXC_dyYntZ-xd0hbcAMomTupo1-Gm773VCb3uqdrlhJaZZmjEHiLQ/s320/IMG_0929.JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrlAdKIfEFHuOtSm1eOhVsyfJBNNJb1bxJ-pzXWnWsm9anyeyVno0ZttfRZiX2XkPOcOzkVSKEaMExoYNiWcYu_xZwVqMlWH1kdnWMLHchuut0o2vYBitlqPyhw2LyjteM5TL9g/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrlAdKIfEFHuOtSm1eOhVsyfJBNNJb1bxJ-pzXWnWsm9anyeyVno0ZttfRZiX2XkPOcOzkVSKEaMExoYNiWcYu_xZwVqMlWH1kdnWMLHchuut0o2vYBitlqPyhw2LyjteM5TL9g/s320/IMG_3436.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Matthew continues to be your best friend, but you play with lots of other kids too. Sometimes even by yourself, which I may be momentarily concerned about, but you are 'totally fine' with it. The kid who probably bothers you the most is your brother, which I'm sure all little brothers would say about their big brothers. You love him, but he can drive you crazy like no one else can. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJ1vRcpwyygSeIHrbVimSxCVM8_93COLWd2BcuDV_i2mOU_kgaYpeO4yCnmWcr2CKqv9_Zf4-W-2lNjzSfCJwqi7_YAqFl-m8HDwkqoD1-VpVKhZtS870JguaKpUryMJcRWPGVA/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJ1vRcpwyygSeIHrbVimSxCVM8_93COLWd2BcuDV_i2mOU_kgaYpeO4yCnmWcr2CKqv9_Zf4-W-2lNjzSfCJwqi7_YAqFl-m8HDwkqoD1-VpVKhZtS870JguaKpUryMJcRWPGVA/s320/IMG_0904.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuWLtHdfdgcZjvYKqGtMHzoRp4YZ-89KlA9ft_mmICaINyLXip96QH1p3YAVDwLsOWO8ZYrYa4hP2F88GkePZMZkeZGwvOpvhV6QbS-23yAgqJNiog4mqqiJOjNnRDwH107m3CA/s1600/IMG_3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuWLtHdfdgcZjvYKqGtMHzoRp4YZ-89KlA9ft_mmICaINyLXip96QH1p3YAVDwLsOWO8ZYrYa4hP2F88GkePZMZkeZGwvOpvhV6QbS-23yAgqJNiog4mqqiJOjNnRDwH107m3CA/s320/IMG_3385.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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In school you enjoy your teacher. You like math and gym and music. You don't love reading in French, but will do it for me most nights we read together. You prefer to read in english, so we work on that sometimes too. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkW_GL1s57s7HW4PfRvzbgxxPYcOIx9oLR8uqzRKMaeH25G7HpS9VpH6iUT1ITuN40lIGOy7Gu_B2yboRV88oTQVuP6CERqh10ZChZc69rtNVunoRI6A_Tn1IMa11G553Ezv7Ww/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkW_GL1s57s7HW4PfRvzbgxxPYcOIx9oLR8uqzRKMaeH25G7HpS9VpH6iUT1ITuN40lIGOy7Gu_B2yboRV88oTQVuP6CERqh10ZChZc69rtNVunoRI6A_Tn1IMa11G553Ezv7Ww/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
You love you tube and videogames. Soccer is your sport of choice, but you also enjoy skiing, swimming and basketball. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7W877HwHkmtAAfNrUntaPGKM4TD6_zZ6lebttAJBStUwICmDAjphQHUOVYK-RXUziAnfkM2wCBOvR4wYZdy7GyYkmBAGeHOeQ5HO0ixl90I4lzhNCMWhJZZynEXYLjWFg-JhPw/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7W877HwHkmtAAfNrUntaPGKM4TD6_zZ6lebttAJBStUwICmDAjphQHUOVYK-RXUziAnfkM2wCBOvR4wYZdy7GyYkmBAGeHOeQ5HO0ixl90I4lzhNCMWhJZZynEXYLjWFg-JhPw/s320/IMG_3534.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWrnm2oLOW-WhzYZE8MI4D25G75yM9nthbCgKSANcDxumaUV28_719cdF9xJoedkwLU7Gma4ocOSmqeZ57BPeAo2ZypdNiUoIChqxWdVtB42IZQGJ2Vwt5x_XjzkTSepCumCAFg/s1600/IMG_3540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWrnm2oLOW-WhzYZE8MI4D25G75yM9nthbCgKSANcDxumaUV28_719cdF9xJoedkwLU7Gma4ocOSmqeZ57BPeAo2ZypdNiUoIChqxWdVtB42IZQGJ2Vwt5x_XjzkTSepCumCAFg/s320/IMG_3540.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Happy 9th Birthday my love. I'm so so glad that you are part of our lives and you make me happy and smile every. single. day. <br />
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Love Mom.<br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-60016256933774748202017-03-18T21:10:00.002-06:002017-03-18T21:10:39.756-06:00Anticipation: London and ParisNext week at this time I'll be waking up... in Paris!! <br />
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I have said something along these lines to the boys and Darryl and yoga instructors and my mother and about anyone who will listen. I'm so excited. This is one of my favourite parts, the anticipation of what is coming up. It's like at a concert. I love the few minutes before hand when you don't know what the first song will be. When the lights go down and you know it's coming, it hasn't started yet, but there is such excitement in your chest. <br />
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I'm excited to see what the boys think, the Eiffel Tower is incredible. And to be immersed in french. To see architecture that is so different then what we have here. To eat delicious food. To have little sandwich shops and bakeries all around. <br />
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I'm excited for them to see London, where people speak english, but it takes a bit to understand. To be in a big city and see shows. To go on the London Eye, see Big Ben, walk up St. Paul's Cathedral. To see things older then they have ever seen. To go to museums (although only one in each city) and churches (again only one in each city) But such beautiful things. <br />
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If there is something you highly recommend please let us know. <br />
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And this is it till April now!! When I'll be able to post pictures and stories from our amazing adventure. <br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-50106107510539584652017-03-09T18:36:00.001-07:002017-03-09T18:36:49.029-07:00StrugglingThese last few months have been pretty challenging for me. While I mostly post happy and funny things, and if we are being realistic I live a very sweet life, but in reality of my happy and sweet life the last 6 months have been really challenging. I think last week in frustration I said I'm failing at all aspects in life. <br />
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But struggling with work, struggling with where I fit in and belong.<br />
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Struggling with balance. Working full time is a lot. When do I have time to get things done. <br />
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Struggling with what marriage looks like after 2 kids and 15 years of being together.<br />
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Struggling with boys who love to do what their dad does, but I'm not always sure how to fit in with them.<br />
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Struggling with finding time for myself at the expense of others feelings. <br />
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Struggling that in so many environments I don't get to be me. I'm focused on making a good impression, learning, not stepping on toes. I miss being me.<br />
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Struggling with closing doors on jobs that I have been doing for many years. <br />
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Now I know very few people read this, and I don't say this for your pity or comments. But to record it. Too look back and know life is not all roses and trips and ponies. Life is the good times and the bad times. Learning to live with being uncomfortable. Knowing its a period of growth, at least I hope. Blogging it knowing I can look back in the good times and remember the hard times that made the good times feel so good. <br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-54448124777651987022017-02-27T19:33:00.000-07:002017-02-27T19:33:06.180-07:00We Were in MexicoLast week at this time I was talking to my best friend. Which may seem like nothing, I talk to her all the time. But were we sitting in Mexico, maybe at dinner, maybe in our room after dinner. And we had spent the last 4 days talking and eating, swimming and drinking. But the highlight of it all was the music. Music that we both love so much and it makes us so happy. <br />
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Thursday we headed from Calgary off to Mexico. On the flight down we didn't get to sit together cause I forgot to my passport to check in at work the day before. Somehow though I managed to secure a great seat, the exit row, with no seat in front of me. That may have been a problem, as my tv was very far away, but as I just had laser eye surgery in October, it was no problem at all. <br />
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When we got off the flight, we were ushered on a bus and it left right away! There were 5 or 6 buses lined up, but the bus we were on left as soon as we got on it. It's like they were waiting for us. When we got on they were playing the Avetts too. <br />
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The resort check in was easy, although Tammy missed a soccer goal and 'lost a BMW'. Our room was very 'centrally located'. Which was the selling point, but also very loud. We had the concerts in our room if we didn't want to go outside. Generally it was lovely, though, roomy and all the amenities. That night we got to eat steak, drink mojitos and listen to our favourite band. We sat is awe of it all. Lucky that we were there.<br />
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The rest of the weekend shaped up pretty much the same. Beautiful sunshine, more drinks, reading and talking. There was a waterslide, yoga class, hibachi grill, tequila and concerts. Many amazing concerts. Brandi Carlisle was fantastic! She is a great singer live, you appreciate it more then on her albums. As Tammy, or Crystal would say "Stop it'. It was all just so so good. <br />
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What a great trip. Nice to reconnect with my best friend. Nice to relax and have fun. Dance and jump till my feet hurt. Sing my heart out till I almost lost my voice. Cry when it was almost over. Cry to hear songs live that mean so much in my regular life. <br />
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Thanks to Darryl for giving his blessing for me to go and for having a great weekend with our boys. <br />
<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-34980481215565437832017-02-19T21:02:00.000-07:002017-02-19T21:02:03.814-07:00Classic Auntie KarenOn Friday Auntie Karen was hanging out with the boys while I was a work. <br />
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I texted that I was on my way home. <br />
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Her response<br />
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"OK Do you know where the balloons are?"<br />
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=) I knew they must be doing something fun. Something that would require balloons.<br />
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Jenn<br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-41607466102989618012017-01-28T09:18:00.003-07:002017-01-28T09:18:21.406-07:00January 2017Well the resolution was to try and post twice a month, so as January is coming to a close I thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect on the month. This month has becoming a lot of intentional reconnecting. I had some great dinners with my family and friends who I only get to see once a year. Finished a course, put work into starting a new one,<br />
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I finished one of my Athabasca courses, which I was happy about completing. It taught me about some of the buzz words around management and leadership as that is where I find myself immersed in now. I also submitted my application for my masters graduate program, which is both exciting and scary. This year moving to working full time has been a large transition for me as I work to find some balance in my life. But I'm slowly getting there. Work has been a month of learning, which I am grateful for. I have been struggling with my new role, but I see some real positives with the new boss we have. He is different then any other boss I've had a really visionary and leader, rather then a manager and while that is a transition for me I feel like I have a lot to learn from it. Learning about who to trust and when, how to make people feel important and heard and how to look at the big picture, rather then day to day. <br />
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Home here has been pretty fun as well. We had a week with no devices, which was quite successful. Darryl suggested it one Thursday night and most of us jumped right in. Nathan wasn't sure about it, but he did really well too. It was fun to have a week of play and togetherness and hopefully it will help to balance the rest of the month with learning there are things other then screens. Generally I feel like we are pretty good as a family with the balance, but it's good to experiment. <br />
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My dad retired this month and it was his birthday. I'm really happy and proud of him. I have been leaning on him more over the last month with the kids and editing my writing and grateful for his help in both of those cases. Nice when space opens up for different things. <br />
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Darryl and I also spent lots of time this month talking and supporting each other. I'm grateful for his support as I learn to navigate this job as well as finding a balance in my life with the increasing demands. <br />
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Till next time<br />
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Jenn<br />
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Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-80579078100765254312017-01-01T09:31:00.002-07:002017-01-01T16:46:19.585-07:002016 and 17 Resolutions<br /><br />Well its the yearly blog post to see how I did at last years resolutions and make some new ones for this year. 2016 was not my favourite. Although I did some fun things, overall in the world and in my world it was not the greatest. <br /><br /><br /><br />Update for 2016 Resolutions<br /><br /> <br /><br /><i>Be more present with my kids. To make this goal a little easier to qualify and see if I accomplish it my plan is to take the family to a non chain restaurant where we get to try new food once a month. </i><br /><br />This goal I did pretty well with this year. Although not a total check mark, but all in all we did some really fun things together as a family and I feel like we connected more as a family too. I did better at engaging with the kids for activities, but also stopped feeling bad about not being engaged with them all the time. All in all I think family was my highlight of a more difficult year. I feel like I'm doing a good job as a mom and day to day having Darryl and the kids around keep me happy and sane and feeling loved. <br /><i>With Darryl I would like to plan more date nights. I have a great husband and person to spend my life with. He's a great dad and partner, but it's easy to get caught in the mundane of everyday life. I would like to make more effort to do reconnect and do things together. </i><br /><br />I would say this is a no for me and something I need to keep working on for 2017. More fun with Darryl! As the kids are getting older they can be by themselves for a bit while Darryl and I reconnect. As I said last year we often get caught up in the mundane of everyday life or we have spent years dividing and conquering parenting that we need to remember what it is to spend time together and not divided. <br />I<i> have been doing a regular yoga practice for a couple of years now so I want to continue with that. Maybe work on doing more practicing at home. Although I do love my studio. </i><br /><br />Continue to love and practice yoga. Doing it at home a bit more, but love to practice anywhere. I practiced at Soul 192 times last year, so I want to keep that up. <div>
<br /><i>We have a trip to Hawaii planned for this year and I'm heading to Halifax for a work conference, probably going to Kelowna this year too and maybe something else in the summer. Plus it's Darryl's 40th birthday and our 15 year anniversary, so hopefully something fun for that. </i><br /><br />Trips this year went pretty well, there just was not enough of them. And Darryl's birthday was probably the most memorable with the new car. We had a great day on his birthday and like I said earlier my family continues to keep me happy and sane <br /><br /><br />Resolutions for 2017<br /><br /><ol>
<li>Focus on the positive. I am so grateful for the life I lead and I found this year I thought about what I was missing rather then what I had. Generally I think of myself as a really positive person, but it slipped away a bit on me this year. I'd like to get back to that mindset this year. I think there is a balance between being content with where you are at and striving to get better. Still looking to find that balance. </li>
<li>Blog more. 2 times a month. </li>
<li>We have some pretty great trips planned this year, it's going to be a good year for creating those memories. Looking forward to that!</li>
<li>Stop being so hard on myself, especially when it comes to work. Give myself time to learn. It's hard having come from being excellent at a job to having to learn everything again, but give myself time to get there. </li>
<li>In yoga I'd like to get better at wheel and handstand.</li>
<li>Continue to cultivate all of the good practices in my life. Continue to embrace opportunities. Embrace fun times with my kids and my family. Continue to do awesome stuff with Darryl. Keep practicing yoga. Drinking tea with Tammy. Smiling at strangers. Having good conversations with my mother. Overall I think I'm pretty good at this, I love life and love to do fun things. I want to keep embracing all of those opportunities that come my way. I'm hoping to start working on my masters this year. Which will be a lot of work, but again what a great opportunity to complete it.</li>
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Till next time<br /><br />Jenn</div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-55821461147308327742016-12-31T15:57:00.000-07:002016-12-31T15:57:05.672-07:00Reflections on 2016Ahh... the last day of 2016. As I sit here on my couch drinking tea, having had an awesome last week and a half of Christmas break I take time to reflect on 2016 and what it has brought into my life. Mostly 2016 has brought challenges into my life. It's interesting as I read through a lot of social media and articles people overall were not happy to 2016. It was a tough year for the world. <br />
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But what a lot of these challenges this year have also taught me about it growth and the importance of focussing on what you have. I think this year I focused too much on the negative things in my life. What I was missing or was wrong with something, instead of focussing on what is right. <br />
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So lets focus on what was right! Here are the highlights of 2016:<br />
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Hazel and Harvey<br />
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This summer we adopted two super cute and fun kittens. Harvey has personality coming out of everywhere and Hazel is calm and cuddly (especially with Lucas) Of course this helped us to heal and be happy again after loosing Emma. But those two are certainly my favourite part of 2016. <br />
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New Job<br />
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Anyone who has talked to me in the last 6 months has heard about the struggles I've had transitioning to my new job. But you know what: I got the job! That is something to celebrate. I remember when they called to ask to call my references I was with Lucas at Chinook and we had just bought Orange Julius. I say the number on my phone and took a deep breath, knowing that the phone call would change things for me. And it did. I remember I couldn't pick up my drink after because my hand was shaking so much. Lucas thought my physical reaction to something mental was pretty funny. Really the job has been a hard transition, but I'm getting there and I'm learning. I'm trying to look at it as an opportunity to learn and to improve the environment. <br />
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Trips: <br />
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Hawaii: Beautiful and lots of fun learning to boogie board. I know Hawaii is one of most people's favourite places, but I learned it's not mine. <br />
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Halifax: Tammy and I went and presented at a conference and had oodles of fun. Driving to Peggy's Cove, eating seafood, being awesome, hiking up and down the hill, meeting East Coasters on airplanes, taking one of my favourite pictures of the year, reconnecting with colleagues from around the country.<br />
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Kelowna with Tammy and the Kids: Learned what a funny accent Shaun can have, glad a kangaroo didn't squeeze Nathan to death, kids can fish in the rain, Matthew had an awesome swan song, Nathan laying on Matt's boat and it blew up. <br />
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Kelowna with Darryl: The kids having a great time on the boat, mountain biking through the train tracks, mountain biking in Panorama, eating great food in Panorama. <br />
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Winnipeg: Seeing John K Samson and most of the Weakerthans, feeling a work sense of belonging again, meeting new colleagues and them becoming friends, eating delicious food, lots of laughs and smiles, working really hard. <br />
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Yoga<br />
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Continues to be a wonderful constant in my life. Helps me to stay calm and level headed. 192 classes this year, which is good considering my balance has been off since working full time. Continued to grow friendships and have many new great teachers there as well. <br />
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As usually here is the video highlights of a lot of those fun highlights. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_IFE2sBGX8M" width="560"></iframe>
Till Tomorrow and the resolutions for 2017!<br />
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Jenn<br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-35702404473479402582016-08-27T13:42:00.000-06:002016-08-27T13:42:04.530-06:00Summer Wrap UpWe are coming up to the end of the summer and it's always a good time to look back and see how things went. It certainly wasn't as eventful as last summer, but still filled with lots of good things. <br />
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The summer started with some changes. As I blogged about I took a new job, which meant I worked more over the summer then I was use to. But the kids finished up their sports, Nathan did great with soccer and really enjoyed it. He scored lots, ran lots and had fun with his team mates. Lucas also did great in baseball. He was a great fielder and made lots of good plays. He got walked alot, and by the end of the season had a couple of hits. One was a funny bunt where the ball was over his head but he lifted the bat and hit the ball and got on base. <br />
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In July we started with a couple of weeks to chill at home. Enjoy tea on the couch, rather then a travel mug, play with friends and breathe a sigh of relaxation. Then we headed to Kelowna with Tammy, Matt and Shaun. As usually it was a great time. Lots of laughs and swimming and fishing and beach time. Tammy and I have great road trips where we talk and talk. Its nice cause our boys are really the same way too. They can all talk and talk. Oma was struggling a bit with her leg, but I think she was happy to see us. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4RmKWz2QEoyMklxTJlxmmW6lLKE2nmRc1CVvOmkmGDiTMRtN2zlSaF_ujtGv1LZe6xKPrCM_MUPWeuK-4oQfzLa_kPRlHYjpDBNCZarY9lcWutg1Wt97RbiLKrPpKMSbMH1TrA/s1600/IMG_3489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4RmKWz2QEoyMklxTJlxmmW6lLKE2nmRc1CVvOmkmGDiTMRtN2zlSaF_ujtGv1LZe6xKPrCM_MUPWeuK-4oQfzLa_kPRlHYjpDBNCZarY9lcWutg1Wt97RbiLKrPpKMSbMH1TrA/s320/IMG_3489.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqc4LUwj-VqpYm-wpKp8DgWRzH-R11A0XJkxUYuI87ZyhnOMsi3YO_FeERvJCFX9b9uIFSj8ZXKURIooPOXDOVVsQzjHFGv6f6jf_BI9S_04v3W54_glaX9DWXplbCAVWlNxwzw/s1600/IMG_3507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqc4LUwj-VqpYm-wpKp8DgWRzH-R11A0XJkxUYuI87ZyhnOMsi3YO_FeERvJCFX9b9uIFSj8ZXKURIooPOXDOVVsQzjHFGv6f6jf_BI9S_04v3W54_glaX9DWXplbCAVWlNxwzw/s320/IMG_3507.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Lucas and Nathan also had a great time at their respective camps. Lucas went to COP camp and did a lot of cool things. It's definitly something we will do again. I was proud of him as he really embraced it. He also didn't know anyone, but made friends quickly and by the end of the week he was sad it was over. Nathan did his camp here in the community with his friend Matthew, so also really enjoyed himself. <br />
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Myself and the boys then headed to Panorama for a couple of days then off to Kelowna. Both were a great time and I loved the mountain air and being away from home. In Panorama Darryl and Lucas biked, while Nathan and I swam. We went out for nice dinners and made food in our room. Kelowna was also lovely, lots of swimming, visiting with Oma and Opa and we did some bike riding there too. <br />
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Lynda and Brian then came to visit and it was great to see them. Darryl always loves when his mom comes and I love it too. They take really good care of us. We watched lots of Olympics, went to Banff and had a fun baseball game for Lucas's birthday party. <br />
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The last few weeks are ending like the summer started. Soaking up the lack of schedule. Lots of reading, watching baseball and relaxing. Sleeping in and going to late night movies. We also made a weekend trip to Fernie for more hiking, biking and swimming. We also ate EXCELLENT food there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywMuowiY0oUPMYnmvrJEzCDAhTAzNJX682PYDYq2NdVIuleJBNENjzVi74CVSVbp_Ut79VRokr6jxtUu2XFQkz9GMCKWd8HwFss0ZXsdw4OVYqsBaJKVZKtTbNMSecSym7JEtaw/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywMuowiY0oUPMYnmvrJEzCDAhTAzNJX682PYDYq2NdVIuleJBNENjzVi74CVSVbp_Ut79VRokr6jxtUu2XFQkz9GMCKWd8HwFss0ZXsdw4OVYqsBaJKVZKtTbNMSecSym7JEtaw/s320/IMG_3644.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
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Lucas had a great birthday and continues to be an awesome kid. He takes time to make a decision, but always does what I ask him. He doesn't love a lot of vegetables, but is willing to try and likes spicy food. He has lots of good friends. Bought a BMX bike with his birthday money. Has been doing lots of mountain biking with his dad. He likes to make jokes and knows when to do it. He is loving, but not in your face. He doesn't like it when he can't fall asleep or when people swear, but tolerates both. Like Darryl he's good at pretty much anything he tries and really does like to try new things. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6Brg71gdBH4oaVXlmkRP5cjdlXJS8-78qE8QTXQMai-pQOlAXxUoBiAsN3g3FJFy-v3uLuEKEos6cvXMsAgt5iULkn2n3fnasFHWzJCA8CRPxBCruFG8j0mAezmyS8CtWQWHZQ/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6Brg71gdBH4oaVXlmkRP5cjdlXJS8-78qE8QTXQMai-pQOlAXxUoBiAsN3g3FJFy-v3uLuEKEos6cvXMsAgt5iULkn2n3fnasFHWzJCA8CRPxBCruFG8j0mAezmyS8CtWQWHZQ/s320/IMG_3632.JPG" width="240" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywMuowiY0oUPMYnmvrJEzCDAhTAzNJX682PYDYq2NdVIuleJBNENjzVi74CVSVbp_Ut79VRokr6jxtUu2XFQkz9GMCKWd8HwFss0ZXsdw4OVYqsBaJKVZKtTbNMSecSym7JEtaw/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Till Next Time<br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-27110643395343187072016-06-21T16:27:00.001-06:002016-06-21T16:27:13.002-06:00Ode to the Black ScrubsWell today was my last days of wearing the same uniform I have been wearing for the last 10 years. I have been at SAIT for 13 years and 10 years ago started the majority of my teaching in the clinical environment. We make the students wear black scrubs as it looks very professional and allows for the students to be easily identified. We've always thought since we make the students do this, we as instructors should as well, again to easily identify us as we go to so many sites. <br />
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Two weeks ago I accepted a promotion, and my role will be at SAIT everyday rather then out in practicum. I find this very exciting, but also quite uncomfortable. It feels like my black scrubs are kind of like a metaphor. Scrubs are easy, common and comfortable. The job I have been doing for the last 13 years has become like my black scrubs, very easy and comfortable, I am very good at it. Like black scrubs I don't have to spend any time thinking or planning, they are just there to put on, my job was like that too, no need to think or plan. I could do it really easily. I knew it really well. <br />
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But now I'm going to have to get uncomfortable, make harder decisions and learn and grow. While it's a big step and feels out of my comfort zone, I think it's time. I'm hanging up my comfortable black scrubs for dresses and heels, dress pants and blouses. Something new and something different and maybe more uncomfortable. <br />
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Wish me luck!<br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-69454721542218158352016-04-08T19:11:00.001-06:002016-04-08T19:11:21.074-06:00EmmaLast week we said goodbye to our wonderful, awesome dog. We've known for the last couple of months that she is palliative. She had an aggresive oral tumor that was diagnosed in Feburary. For the last couple of months we did lots of great things with her, took some beautiful family photos, fed her lots of delicious meat, took her to off leash parks and lots of walks. We gave all the people who love her a chance to say goodbye and then we said our final goodbyes to her. <br />
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Emma was such a great dog, of course she had tons and tons of adventures. Running across deerfoot, running home from Strathmore, get the foxtails stuck in her throat or the wicker stuck in the roof of her mouth. All of her escapes, whether from the second story of our house, from Tammy and Pat's yard or trying to dig her way out of Oma and Opa's house. One of my favourite Emma stories is when she jumped off the dock after a ball and went right under the water, head and everything. She got to the surface and couldn't care less about the ball or stick. Swan straight to shore, nothing was going to stop her. She loved Kelowna. Maybe not Opa, but all the swimming! It was always a good vacation for her too. <br />
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I miss having her around. Whether it be sitting by the front door, or walking to get the kids. It might be sitting in the front seat or laying on our bedroom floor sleeping at night. I just miss having her around. <br />
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She was our first born, taught us how to parent, taught us how to put others first, how to not give up on things and follow through. She taught us how to be consistent and on the same page. How when you put the work in the rewards are tremendous and life long. <br />
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My constant companion will be missed. <br />
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Till Next Time<br />
<br />
Jenn<br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-50268555601728680192016-03-22T11:34:00.000-06:002016-03-22T11:35:51.994-06:00Proud MomWe are on March Break this week, so I took the boys to do groceries with me so they could pick out some healthy snacks and some treats. I usually do groceries when they are at school, but thought this would be a good opportunity for me to learn about what they like and spend some time together. I have taken the boys grocery shopping a lot throughout their lives and they both enjoy it, not as much as video games, but as much as you can enjoy a chore.<br />
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Nathan still has the habit of hanging onto the cart, which is something we have to break, cause on a Sunday at superstore, it's important to be narrow through the ailse and the people. But Lucas likes to 'help' by going and picking things out that are on the list. It's super helpful! If I forgot naan bread, he will go back to the bakery and get it. Then he asked what else he could get. I was just working on the ailses and Lucas asked if we needed milk. I said yes and so he went over to the dairy section to pick it out. When he came back he was carrying two cartons instead of the jug. I asked why 2 cartons as we usually get the jug. He replied, becuase it was cheaper. The cartons were on sale. I doubt this as milk is almost never on sale. But he said it was and he double checked that it was the same amount, so the cartons were 2L and the jug was 4L. The cartons were on sale for 1.99 and the jug was 4.59. We walked over he was correct, the cartons of milk were on sale.<br />
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I was so proud. I love to get a good deal, I love it when things are on sale! Nathan figured out it saved us .61 cents.<br />
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Lucas is often so much like Darryl, but it's always nice to see when he's like me too. Although as I sit here and listen to the boys playing downstairs and him telling everyone what to do, maybe he's more like me then I thought....<br />
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Till Tomorrow<br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-56363621673437992992016-03-18T15:36:00.000-06:002016-03-18T15:36:34.586-06:00When do you push and when is it personality and when is that a reason?Last night was parent teacher interviews. I was working for Nathan's but wanted to talk to Lucas's teacher about her marking scheme so I scheduled that one for when I was done. We had a good time in his classroom and I got to remember how fun grade 5 is. When we had our chat with his teacher she asked us about giving him feedback and that she's worried he takes it too personally. We chatted about if he's ever tried out for sports team or other ways he might get feedback. <br />
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Lucas is a super awesome kid. Of course I'm his mother so of course I believe that, but even his teacher says it too. He has a heart of gold. Today we were at the park and a kid hurt themselves. He was the first to ask if the kid was okay. Or at the same park one kid called his brother fat, Lucas was the first to say, Hey you shouldn't call them that. When I ask him to do something he always does, he's great academically, he's really good at pretty much sport and is a great friend. We are really proud of him at school too, as he is showing himself as a leader by helping with getting kindergarten kids on the bus and doing crossing guard. <br />
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So with all these great things does it matter if he's not very participatory, or that it can be difficult to give him feedback without feeling that you are hurting his self esteem? Is there something we should do to help him with those skills or is it just his personality? And when you say it's just someone's personality is that making an excuse? All questions I'm pondering...<br />
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I think generally it's his personality... Darryl is also an introvert. In life you can't have everyone be really participatory or things may never get decided. Different people make the world go around and make the world interesting. But at the same time if we can cultivate some of those traits that don't come naturally to him that is a good idea. At the same time I don't want to put him in situations that he really doesn't like. I don't want to make him into someone that he isn't. <br />
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Ahh parenting, always keeping things interesting.<br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-73224263377862352712016-03-11T18:04:00.003-07:002016-03-11T18:04:59.572-07:00Winter... so farI really should try to post more. Looking at old posts is one of my favourite things to do, plus I love that I can keep a record of my life. This week Auntie Karen's best friend, her daughter died. She was 17. It's so sad. So so sad. So I love reading about my life, but it's also a great legacy to leave, someday when I leave. <br />
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Winter has been pretty darn good to us, the weather has been remarkable for a winter. When there was snow we were lucky enough to go to Hawaii and had a great trip there. I have never been there so I wasn't really sure what to expect, and really didn't have a lot of expectations going into it. We were going with a big group, so I didn't feel the same need to research and investigate like I do other times I go on vacation with a smaller group. <br />
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It was a good vacation, fun to see a new place. Fun to hike and snorkel and boogie board. Hanalei Bay ended up being my favourite beach in the whole wide world. It was great to see my whole family interacting and enjoying each others company. It was great to see everyone trying something new and different. Funny how kids bring that out in us. <br />
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I'm feeling so grateful this winter for the wonderful relationship my parents and kids have. There is a different kind of satisfaction to be the link between the two and the happiness you see the relationship has on both parties. Dad has really enjoyed skiing with the boys this winter. We have been a fair bit and it's been lots of fun. It's great to see his pride when the boys accomplish something. Nathan is a really good student, both in school and on the ski hill. He will really listen and do what is asked of him. He commits. Unlike his mother... and Lucas is a bit more like me too. So when Nathan really pays attention to my Dad and his skiing improves it's like my dad is glowing. <br />
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What an awesome life I live. I'm lucky to have lots of great things in my life. Although I think lots of it is my own decision making. I'm not sure I always believe in luck. <br />
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Plan on doing more of this recording of my life. <br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-68251970165917540932016-01-05T20:09:00.000-07:002016-01-05T20:09:14.094-07:00New Year's ResolutionsI had some trouble coming up with good resolutions for the year. There have been some things floating around in my head, but sometimes it's difficult to quantify. Mostly this year I would like to work on relationships. Of course I know this is the a huge resolution. But it is something I want to work on. Mostly with my kids. But also with my husband and my family and my friends. <br />
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I had a conversation with a hygienist last time I was at the dentist, which means it was mostly her talking and me listening, but she was talking about how she'd only ever want one child so that she would involved in their lives all the time. She would be their playmate and adviser, she would be very active in their lives. I mentioned how having two is great because they entertain each other. While I still agree with my theory, it did make me think about how often I disengage with them while they play with each other. It's funny cause when they are little you pray and hope for these days of self sufficiency and then when they get there you have to make the effort to spend the time with them. So that is something I'm going to try to focus on more this year. I find it more challenging as many of their interests are not things I enjoy doing, but maybe even being the room or encouraging them to do things I am interested in. To make this goal a little easier to qualify and see if I accomplish it my plan is to take the family to a non chain restaurant where we get to try new food once a month. <br />
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With Darryl I would like to plan more date nights. I have a great husband and person to spend my life with. He's a great dad and partner, but it's easy to get caught in the mundane of everyday life. I would like to make more effort to do reconnect and do things together. <br />
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We will see as the year goes on if I have more things I would like to work on, but reflecting over Christmas this is what I've been thinking about and would like to focus on.<br />
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I have been doing a regular yoga practice for a couple of years now so I want to continue with that. Maybe work on doing more practicing at home. Although I do love my studio. <br />
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We have a trip to Hawaii planned for this year and I'm heading to Halifax for a work conference, probably going to Kelowna this year too and maybe something else in the summer. Plus it's Darryl's 40th birthday and our 15 year anniversary, so hopefully something fun for that. <br />
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What about the readers, any inspiring resolutions? Goals? Intents?<br />
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Jenn Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-27812238129599028882016-01-03T12:48:00.000-07:002016-01-03T12:48:14.403-07:00ResolutionsAs I've said lots of times on the blog I enjoy resolutions. I like making goals and trying to be a better person. I liked last year and set different goals for each month. Some of them I totally rocked and others.... not so much.<br />
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Here's a synopsis. <br />
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<i>Jan: Practice piano for 15 minutes each day</i><br />
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This went okay... on and off for the month. On the days where I felt like I had time, things went really well. But on the busy days this quickly feel off the to do list. <br />
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Feb: Only check social media once per day</i><br />
This one went great. Only checked it in the evening. That being said I didn't feel like it made a huge difference. In conclusion I'm not too addicted to social media. It's the thing that falls off my to do list when I'm busy. <i> <br />
Mar: Meditate every day</i><br />
Did pretty awesome with this one too....although I count going to yoga and sitting in peace at the start and end of class. And most days I go to yoga, so it wasn't too hard of a resolution to keep. <br />
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April: Eat at Home Challenge</i><br />
I can't really remember this one... so my guess is it didn't go very well....<br />
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May: Ab challenge</i><br />
This one started off great, but as the month went on it got too hard!<br />
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June: Yoga challenge</i><br />
This month I doubled up and also did June dresses. Totally rocked out on both of them!<br />
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July: Take picture with big camera everyday</i><br />
This one I did not do great on... started with high hopes but didn't follow through in the month. Partly cause I travelled a lot and didn't bring it with me =(<br />
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August:<br />
September: Blog everyday</i><br />
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Did awesome! See all those posts in September. <br />
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October:<br />
November: Plank Challenge</i><br />
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My coworkers came up with a great challenge of doing plank for 30 secs a day and then increasing by 5 seconds each day. Again with this one started out awesome, till it got hard. Then it was harder to follow through. That being said I can do a 3 minute low plank. Although I have been practicing for a long time. <br />
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December:</i><br />
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It was a pretty darn good year of getting better physically. I feel pretty darn strong. I went on 8 trips last year! 8! That's pretty lucky and incredible. 3 of them were work related. And 2 to Ontario for Lori's celebrations and 3 just for fun ones! My goal is not to top that in 2016, as that would be pretty difficult. <br />
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Now to contemplate 2016....<br />
<i> </i><br />
JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-64215721461474507842015-12-30T14:14:00.000-07:002015-12-30T14:14:11.620-07:00Reflections on 2015Well it's that time of year again... time when reflect on the end of 2015 and then in a couple of days what I hope for in 2016. 2015 was an interesting year. It was a bit more of a roller coaster then the last couple of years. There were some of the greatest goods: (Lori's wedding, Red Rocks, family trips) but also some difficult times too (harassment, surgeries, work stress, relationships). '<br />
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Like 2014 yoga was still a big part of my life and helps me to cope with the other stuff in life. I don't worry, cause I know it will do nothing to change the outcome. I let go of bad things cause I know it only bothers me and not other people. And I breathe, breathe through any stress. I'm so grateful for the powerful positive force it is in my life. <br />
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As usual I enjoy spending some time looking over the photos of the last year. Here is a slidehshow of some of the greatness from the last year. <br />
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I'm so grateful for all the incredible things in these pictures. Shows the beautiful greatness in my life. <br />
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Till Next Time<br />
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JennJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.com2