Miss Carrie's Update

That's what my little 3-5 year old munchins call me. Either that or Teacher! For those of you I haven't had the pleasure of seeing recently, I've started at a brand new school in South Surrey, quite close to my house. Morgan Creek Montessori Academy and they wear uniforms - yuck! I hate that they don't have expression to wear what they want, but it's not my school. I am the main teacher and make pretty much all the decisions concerning what happens in the classroom and the kids, so that is REALLY nice. Just administrative stuff I don't do. It has been an incredibley overwhelming first few weeks. I didn't have enough set-up time so I have been trying to deal with set-up as well as getting the kids settled into the class with new routines, rules, and presentations like crazy so they know what to do in the classroom and are working at their level. Mostly focusing on behaviour right now so I don't have a class of hellions the whole year. Most of them are just amazing and so adorable! And for the most part my new boss is pretty good. A welcome change from my crazy boss of last year, which was just a totally draining experience.

I had an amazing summer to rejeuvenate and refocus on priorities. I just felt so messed up after the past year. Which probably explains why I hardly saw any of you last year. I had quite the family summer, visiting my niece in Calgary, relaxing in Whistler with Shane, vacation with Shane in Disneyland, San Diego, and family in Palm Springs, visiting Shane's family in the Okanagan, and a houseboat adventure with my family. I was able to fit in seeing many of you at Amanda & Nathan's wedding, Sam when she was home, and when I was in Calgary - thank you all for being there for me when you probably didn't even know how much I needed each of you! You are all amazing sisters and I am so thankful to know each and everyone of you! Here are some photos of my summer adventures. That's my niece who is now 1 year.

Update and pics

Well I thought that I should say hello and post some photo's. These are from Pam's wedding, sorry non from the ceremony cause I was in it! Anyway things are going well for me, I just started my new job with the surrey school district as a Child Care Worker. Wow what a difference it is working in a school compared to working on the downtown eastside with street youth! I was in an elementry school for the past 3 weeks (they called me Miss. Bailey ( I've been called worse!) and listened when I asked them to do things.... ) sadly I am now gone from there and am in the ever dreaded limbo of whats called a spare board.. this means I can get called anywhere from 5 - 9am to be at work that day.. .yucky! Oh well hopefully soon I'll post a long term spot. Other than that I'm just trying to stay out of trouble (hehehehe) and waiting to turn 30 in two months! Yup thats right, 30! Almost old enough to get married and have babies hey! In the light of my impending 30th B-day I decided that I really should get healthy seeing as I want to live a long and healthy life and there is a horrible amount of health problems in my families history. So to date I have lost 33lbs and hope to lose a few more.... it feels really good to be healthy and have to buy new clothes cause they dont fit.. .too big! One of the best days I've had in awhile was the dreaded change room scenario... you know, knock knock, how you doing in there, is everything fitting, do you need another size. I was like I need something smaller (and this part is usually said very quietly so no one else hears, except in my case...) the sales lady says what size do you need and I loudly and proudly say size 8 please!! Woop Woop... hehehehe. So yup, new job, new body, new mellie ( the man will follow suit shortly I imagine... I'm not sure if he knows I am patiently waiting for him to arrive.... hmmmm). Well I should go cause this is looooooooong, glad to hear everyone is going well, miss ya and love ya all

mellie

Amanda's Wedding Pictures

Sorry it took so long to post pics from my wedding... I just got these back from the photographer last weekend! As far as updates go, I've got a teaching position for the year teaching mostly Math this time round. Working slowly but surely on the house... nothing like what Nat can do in a month! Hope to add more soon... but back to lesson planning for right now!

Smithers Update

Hi Everyone,

Things are good on the farm this September. We had a good Summer with some travelling, and lots of time to work on the house. I painted one room and realized how much work was involved, so Nat you're quite ambitious with such extensive renos!

Sarah is sitting up by herself now, she's such a joy to have around. We're excited to hear about Sarah W.'s baby when it arrives, I loved looking at the website!

Amanda, I'm waiting for some photos to be posted of your wedding, I was sorry to miss it.

We've got a busy fall ahead of us with lots of company coming to visit and Clint coming home in a few days. He's been gone all Summer working in Prince George, we visited him once a few weeks ago but he hasn't seen Sarah in a few weeks now.

Have a great Fall,

Lisa

Just finished my renovation project house!

Hi Girls,

As per your requests, here are the "before and after" shots of the house that I spent the summer renovating. It is up for sale right now and I hope that it sells by the end of the month!! Bye for now! xox Nat