Dear mom,

Thank you for all you do for me and the siblings. You've taught me so much and I am grateful for the example you've been for me. I don't think I realized how much I looked up to you until I moved away, which only makes me miss you more. You know I hate being mushy so I'm just going to make a list of my favourite memories I have with you.

• Thanks for always making sure we spent lots of time outside whether you were kicking us out to play at the park or you were taking us on an outing to explore the outdoors. Whenever we went to a park and there was a plaque to read, you always read it to us so that we could learn something about the area we were in. 
• Remember when we used to sleep in the living room on Sunday nights and watch Star Wars? The goal was to watch them all, but us kids always fell asleep before the first one was over. You probably did too, but no one can prove it. 
• Thank you for making us macaroni with mushroom soup and tuna. Best. Thing. Ever. 
• Even though I was in swimming lessons, I don't think I would have learned half the stuff I did without you. I remember when you taught me how to dive and I was so proud when I finally got it. You also taught me how to kick both legs at a time like a mermaid when I swim. That was pretty much my favourite thing.
• I miss going horseback riding with you. I love all the memories we have of the rides we went on with Carla's horses. Remember the time when Tuffy bolted and I fell off?? And then you made me get right back on? I think I earned my Real Horseman status that day. 
• Thanks for trusting me. In high school when I asked if I could do something or go somewhere with my friends you always said yes. I figured out this wasn't normal when I saw how strict some of my friends' parents could be. Because of that trust, I never did anything to break it. 

As I've gotten older and moved out of the house (and back in and then back out again), I've enjoyed spending time with you more and more. I didn't realize how much I've grown to be like you until I came to GP for the first time. There were so many moments when something would come out of my mouth and I would say, "woah, that's my mother speaking". But it's okay that I've turned out like you, because you are a level headed, practical woman who is always willing to help someone in need. Thanks for being a great example for me. I hope that when my turn comes that I can be as good a mother as you have been. 

Feeling Guilty.

Hey kiddos!

Another month has gone by without a word from me, so let's share a little update, shall we?

Things have been busy and exciting around here as the days are getting longer and the snow has been finally MELTING!!! I am so glad that winter is over. Yes, I realize that we can still get a snowfall or two, but hey, the worst is behind us.

What have I been up to? You know what, let's just make this easy and make a list!

1. Work. I am love, love, loving my job. My main role is to create exercise programs for patients that the physiotherapists send my way. But they can also send patients to me for Ultrasound or IFC which are different modalities we use to calm muscles down or reduce inflammation. I also get to do pre-employment testing for 2 big companies (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say who due to confidentiality stuff and blah blah blah). They both usually send a couple people my way each week to run them through some basic fitness testing to make sure they can handle the physical demands of their job. Not only that but I am also trained as a physio aid, so I know how to use the computer system and book people in or charge them, and I can also take them back to a bed, clean the beds, do the laundry and basically keep the clinic running smoothly. So of all those things I do, my day is usually a little bit a of a mix of everything. I seriously don't think I can ever be bored doing what I do.

2. Rugby. On Mondays and Wednesdays I coach the high school girls. They are a fun group of girls and after our first tournament we learned that we have a lot to work on, but they are all determined as ever.

3. Visiting family. Last weekend Joe and I drove down to Lethbridge to spend two days with my family for my brother's mission farewell. On Tuesday the 7th he will be leaving to serve a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Halifax, Nova Scotia mission. It was so good to see the family again. On Saturday we had a surprise party for my mom while everyone (AKA: me and Joe, my dad and my brother) was in town . It was perfect because it gave Joe and I the opportunity to see some of our friends without sacrificing time with our family. On Sunday was my brother's farewell and he spoke in church and I sang a song with my sister and sister-in-law and then after church we had the whole extended family over for food and in the evening we had an open house for everyone else to swing by and show their support for my bro (and of course, there was more food). And then Monday we had to pull ourselves out from our food comas and make the long drive back to GP. But of course we had to stop and see Joe's family on the way. We played with the kids, went to dinner and then were on our way again.

4. We bought a bike! For me. I had one before, but it was old and decrepit and Joe has been threatening to throw it away for a long time now. So now I have a beautiful bike that I can ride to work now that the snow is gone. I attached a bell all by myself (with Joe laughing at me as I did) and now all that's left is to give it a name.

And that's pretty much it! Joe and I are getting all excited for our big trip to Hawaii in a couple of weeks and things are coming together. The big expenses are out of the way: flights, vacation rental and rental car. Now we just need to buy a few last minute items and get packing. Wish us luck!