The End is Near

The end of school is so close I can hardly believe it. While studying last night at Starbucks over a delightful cup of Vanilla Earl Grey Tea Misto and flipping through our agendas, Annick and I discovered that we only had 14 days of actual classes and exams left until we are done - only 13 days as of today. In some ways it feels slightly surreal and strange to think that I won't be in school come fall. I'm at that point where it's time to face the music and head out into the working world again. Am I ready? Do I know all that I need to know in order start working on people? Probably not, but that will come with experience I'm told. There is lots to anticipate and look forward to in the next few weeks as I transition from life as a student to a young professional in the working world, but I must remind myself to treasure the moments I have left with classmates and teachers who I won't see nearly as often. I still have lots to learn from these people so there is no need to rush the process as the end of school will come soon enough.

Picture Post

Well I think it is finally time to post some pictures of some of the events that have consumed my life as of late. I'm not quite sure where my days seem to go anymore. They seem to just fly right by.


Soccer season has begun again with Cole. Wednesdays I still look after him after school and those are my days to take him to soccer until Dan or Bonnie can get there after work. I am all for kids playing sports. I think it's wonderful. However, it is also quite painful to watch the lack of competition that occurs. I like to be competitive but I don't think I would label myself as being overly competitive, but when the other teams has to take off players because they are winning, that just seems not fair! Everything to do with kids sports these days is all about fairness, but I think there is a line that is crossed when the game becomes overly fair. There is no incentive to win or try because in the end both teams end up with the exact same score. Go figure. That being said, they sure are cute to watch - especially when little girls show up to play in pink ruffled skirts.






I wonder what Cole and his teammate are discussing. It looks pretty important though!













This past week I had the delightful opportunity to spend time with some wonderful people. On Thursday evening Kristy, Aimee and myself got together to watch the Grey's Anatomy season finale - it wasn't their greatest finale ever, but I still enjoyed it. It had seemed like it had been awhile since I had been able to hang out with these fine women due to life's events, so this evening was very much welcomed. Some aunties also got some wonderful cuddles from little Norah - who is actually turning out to be not so little anymore. She's growing like a weed. Way to go Norah!!!

Auntie Kara getting some lovin'

Snuggles with Auntie Aimee

I no longer have class or school on Fridays, so this past Friday I headed over to Sabrina's for a very yummy lunch of hamburger soup with her and Gavin. I very much enjoy our conversations when we get together and Friday was no exception. The 2 of us were able to spend time catching up on each other's lives over lunch, a beautiful walk for a slurpee and playing with Gavin. It had been about 2 weeks since I had last seen Gavin and on Friday it seemed as though he had grown up from being a baby to a little boy. In my opinion he is growing up WAY too fast.
Thanks Sabrina for a delightful afternoon with you two. I enjoy you a lot and I can't wait for our next date.

What a cutie!

Captivating

I now put on with thanks the armor which you have provided for me -
girding myself with the belt of truth;
binding up all that is vulnerable for my femininity;
first my need to be pursued and fought for.
Thank you for daily pursuing me and for fighting for me as well.

I also gird up my desire to be irreplaceable in a grand scheme of Yours.
You have placed this desire within me and I wrap your truth around it,
in hope of what you will do.
Grant me eyes to see each day in light of your activity, to live in the bigness of your story.

I gird up my desire to offer life through my gifting,
the beauty you have bestowed upon me.
I ask you to continue to reveal and confirm what you desire to do through me
and all you have given to me.
I trust that you have called me by name
and have given me a love,
a beauty,
a gift
to pour out on my family,
my friends,
and those you bring to me.
May this day be an offering of love poured out before you
on the alter of my life.


~ Written by John and Stasi Eldredge from the book "Captivating"

It's about time...

It's been awhile since I have last posted, but what can I say, life has been busy. I am officially moved in at my parents. It's been good to be back although it's definitely not the same place I left 5 years ago. First of all, there are girls there all the time. I LOVE having Courtney and Dominika around. They are like the sisters I never had. I have been at my parents for less then a week and already they are asking to borrow clothes, dvd seasons, etc. I am loving it.
Slowly my suitcases and boxes are getting unpacked. I never knew I owned so much stuff. It's a good reminder that I place way too much emphasis on stuff and I need to learn to down size - especially in the clothes department.

Over the May Long weekend I spent time at the cabin with my parents. It was the first trip out there of the season and it was glorious. The weather wasn't overly warm, but the sun was shining and Sunday afternoon found my mom and I out on the deck in tank tops and shorts attempting to gain some color on our very white skin. Not a lot of color was gained, but just the idea of sitting in the sun out on the deck overlooking the lake made me very hopeful that spring is indeed here, summer is coming and it's going to be good. The weekend contained wonderful moments of late night movies, many bowls of popcorn, watching the lake while studying (perhaps more watching of the lake was done rather then studying) and LOTS of puzzling - Aimee and Kristy I believe I gained some puzzle ettiquete and you would have been very impressed with me. Unfortunately I my camera was put in a box and I failed to unpack it in time for the lake, so I have no pictures to capture the weekend.

I have a number of photos to upload, so hopefully in the next week or so life will settle down a bit and I will get to some of the little things that have been on my "to do" list. Until then, I am going to finish catching up on a bunch of the Sex and the City seasons before the movie comes out on Friday.

Cheers!

Moving On

Well, it feels a little bit surreal that tonight will be my last night here at Dan & Bonnie's. Tomorrow is moving day although most of my stuff will be moved on Friday morning. It's been a good 4 years here but the time has come to move on.

More to come...

Happy Mothering Day!

This day of celebrating Mothers comes every year, but I think for the first time I found myself celebrating the person my mom is in my life. Her and I have had a rocky relationship for the longest time and over the past year or so we have been able to enjoy each other's presence and accept each other for who each of us is even if we are completely different people.

My mom, Grandma, Aunt and I

For mother's day this year, my brothers and I got my mom a bike to take to the lake. She was wanting a bike to use to go to the cornerstore to get a paper and just for exercise. We found this awesome crusier bike and a basket to go with. She was pumped to get the gift. She felt the need to test it out immediately, apron and all!

My dad wanted in on the fun too!

Random pictures from throughout the day

Over the years I have had the amazing privilege of being "mothered" by other fantastic women who in many different ways have played the mothering role in my life. These women have been a HUGE blessing to me in my life and have in part shaped me into the woman I am today. Each of these women brings a unique offering to the table in how they mother, but when compiled altogether, their contributions bring out the very best in me.


First of all there is my dear dear friend Sandra. Sandra lived through hell with me during high school. I don't know where I would be without her. She deserves more thanks than I could possibly ever give her. She is a phenomenal woman, who has shown me time and time again focus my time and energy on God rather then on the the worries of this world. She was the "mom" who told it to me straight. If I was being unreasonable she was the one to tell me to snap out of it. I believe she kicked me in the ass more than once and I love her dearly for it. Currently Sandra lives in Vernon, BC so our get togethers get longer and longer apart, however, she is still very much a part of my life.


Secondly there is Nicole. Nicole also had the wonderful privilege of being a "mom" to me during my teenage years, lucky her (I was NOT a fun person to be around). Bless her heart that she stuck by me and helped me make it through. Over the years her and I have spent a lot of time together although it is unfortunate that she too does not live in Wpg so we do not see each other as often anymore. Nicole was there with a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. She never judged me or my decisions (or at least I think she didn't) and she accepted me for who I was, flaws and all!


My Grandma is a constant in my life. Her and I have spent so much time together over the past 24 years. My Grandma used to do A LOT of babysitting for us as kids so we got to know each other very well. Grandma is like a ray of sunshine in my life. I don't think we could ever be mad at each other. She has come through for me so many times when my own mom was not around. Her and Grandpa bailed me out more times then I can count. She was the practical "mom". She was organized and knew exactly how to get things done. She provided wisdom and faith and assurance that no matter where life leads me, God is always with me. She is my prayer warrier. If there is ever any matter that I need prayer for, I know Grandma is at the top of my list for people to pray on my behalf.



Finally there is Mary. Mary has walked with me and beside me over the past 5-6 years and has never left my side. She's always in my corner. I know she is always someone on whom I can fully rely on to be there. She has instilled in my a thirst for knowing God and challenges me constantly to go deeper with Jesus. If I have questions about anything, I know I can always turn to Mary and she will listen intently to me and make time for me in her often very busy days. Mary puts the needs of others ahead of her own without any hesitation. Her heart overflows with love for people and I hope I too can one day display the love of Christ in such meaningful ways.


I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to accumulate many different "families" over the past 10 years. I have learned that family is much more then DNA. It is about acceptance and loving unconditionally even when we screw up. Family is about sticking with each other through the thick and thin. It does not mean that we leave our family members to handle their own messes and drop them off at hospital entrances and drive away when they feel like they want to die or when they are having heart attacks. So on this annual tradition of celebrating Mother's, I want to celebrate and thank God for not only my biological mom but also these fine women who have brought me up as well. Thank you for being my family.

To the women mentioned above, you are amazing women in my life. Thank you for walking with me, encouraging me and holding me accountable over the years. If I am 1/2 the mother one day that you have been to me, I will be in great shape. Thank you for planting seeds of hope and truth into my life and for being a "mom" to me. I love you all!

HAPPY MOTHERING DAY!!!!

Random Events

These past few days I have been consumed with a ton of packing. It would appear that I have a lot more stuff then I thought I did. I have filled up a very large garbage bag full of clothes that need to go to MCC and another 2 big garbage filled with garbage and recycling. When did I have time to consume so much stuff? It's astonishing and also a nice reminder that I have WAY too much stuff and I need to learn to cut back on the things that I "want" or "need".

Cole has his days when he feels quite sad that I am moving out and so he acts up. The subject of me leaving has been talked about many many times over the past few weeks. Cole and I have created a calender so he can count down the days - he needs changes to happen gradually, so I thought a calender would be a great idea. So far it's working.

The move is not only going to be hard on him, but also on me. I am going to miss this kid an awful lot. I have been looking after him since he was 6 weeks old and he's now 5!! That's a long time to be with someone. He has melted his way into my heart and I am going to miss him like crazy. We have already set up some Kara and Cole days during the summer and I will pick him up from school one day of the week next fall so that we can spend some time together. We will definitely see quite a bit of each other in the years to come however, the spontaneous playdates after supper and the morning cuddles while watching Backyardigans will be missed.

Tonight we built a playmobil village on a deserted island. Our imaginations ran away with us. I love being a kid again!!

New York Bound

Cool Story - yesterday I went to my parent's church in the morning and after the service my mom and I were talking with one of her friends who plans travel tours for a living. She mentioned to us that she was planning a shopping trip to New York. My mom and I both looked at each other and responded with:

"Sign us up!!!"

We are Pumped! This has been a dream of ours for many many years. We have both been there once before, but have never gone with the intentions of only shopping and we have never gone together. My mom has recruited a couple of her friends who also have daughters around my age and we are all probably going to go together. New York is in some ways a highly overrated city but there are aspects of it that are beautiful. I am very much a city girl and I love the hustle and bustle of the city. I find some peace in it - as ironic as that may sound.

So my mom and I made a deal to save up our pennies for some serious fun. We are going either the 3rd week in October (my birthday week...which would be awesome if I got to spend it in the Big Apple at a Broadway show or something) or the first week in November. A final date will be set within the next couple of weeks.

The last time I was in New York was 7 years ago and so much has changed in that city since then. There was also a lot that I did not get to see due to the short amount of time I spent there. This trip will be 5 days in length - from a thursday to a monday but we are going hard all 5 days. They say its the city that never sleeps and we intend on putting that to the test!

All afternoon yesterday my mom and I were planning and thinking of all the things we wanted to see and do while we are there. Here are some of the things we came up with:

• A Broadway show - don't really care which one, but this a definite must!
• A hotdog in Central Park
• Shopping in Soho
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Rockefeller Centre
• Shopping down 5th avenue - Macy's, Saks, etc
• Going to a talk show while we are there would be awesome, but not sure what's playing there. More investigation is required. It would be my dream if Ellen was in town.
• Lots of picture taking!!!

I'm sure our list will get longer and some things will get cut as we continue to plan and save. If anyone has some must do activities while in New York, let me know. Heidi - I'm sure you have some good ideas and some recommended sites to see.

What? It's May already???

I woke up feeling much better today - my outlook on life has improved a little. Sorry to those who had to endure my grumpyness and tears. Last night I had a very wonderful and long awaited experience - I got a LOOOONNNGGG cuddle with Norah. Kristy and I got together to hang out and watch Grey's Anatomy and the whole time I was able to soak in the warmth and the tenderness of Norah close against me. After only looking at her over the past week, I was finally able to get my hands on her. The crazy thing is that I forgot my camera at home, so I couldn't even capture the moment...next time I guess.
Thanks Kristy for letting me come and veg, vent my frustrations and just allowing me to be. It was very much welcomed and appreciated. You are a wonderful friend my dear.

I can't believe it's May already. Where is the time going? That means that there are only 17 more days until I move out of Dan & Bonnie's and only 62 days until I graduate. Crazy!! The mounds of homework and projects are quickly piling up but I must be honest and say that I have NO desire to tackle them. I have to keep reminding myself constantly that I need to finish strong and just buckle down and do them! My plan is to get a chunk of work done tonight, tomorrow all day and sunday all day. I think that should do it!

On the To Do list for today:

• SMD (2nd last one, which I am very thankful for - it's not my favorite school outreach)
• Starbucks - need to have Americano pumped through my veins I think
• LOTS of homework
• Yet another Starbucks date with Dominika...this time Raspberry Iced Tea Lemonades