fantastic!

dang! Can you believe these Halloween costumes! Fantastic!

read about them here.

it has to get better.

Are schools listening? I hope so. I find it terrifying enough to listen to the experiences and words of people who have lived through this sort of violent bullying, but what resonated with me today, is that these experiences are so intertwined with daily life at school. Elementary school, Junior High, High school. Somewhere that you have zero choice or input into if you attend or not, you just have to keep going back every day year after year. How can we not be doing everything we can to make schools a better place for children every single day. How can we not? They're schools for gods sake. Places for children.

I know what my experience in high school was like, and you hope that as time marches on people's tolerance and perspectives change, especially towards diversity and inclusion. But I guess my question is, is it? Or am I just assuming that invariably it will because how could it not? If kids are still killing themselves becasue of how they are made to feel about who they are, then I don't know how well we are all doing.

When our daughter starts school, what will her experience be? Will this even be a topic? Or will I be having this conversation with her, about why some people can't accept others? I hope to God I wont' be.

expectations V.

Dear Baby,

It's October. My favourite month of the year. It's a sunny, beautiful Sunday and you're dad and I are having a really great weekend. Last night you got to hear some more amazing live music. We saw these guys play at St. Matthew's church, one of our favourite places to hear live music in the city. It is always beautiful, magical and mesmerizing, last night being no different. I'm glad you were there with us. I felt you kick and move like crazy, it was loud. I hope you were just excited and not scared.  I clapped loudly, I danced, I whooped and hollered. The show was alive and oh so great. I'm so glad you were there with us. I can't wait until the day that you 'discover' music and it does all the things to your life that music is supposed to do. I can't wait. Even if you like Maroon 5 and a little Justin Bieber, that's okay. We won't be angry. It's all about balance and discovery.

The Rural Alberta Advantage "North Star"

Someday, I hope you can read these and somehow still watch these videos to see and hear what I was talking about. I imagine youtube will be long gone, but some other very cool interweb application will have taken it's place and you'll have to explain to us how it works.

thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving! Our weekend was beyond great, how was yours?

expectations IV

Dear Baby,

Your momma is very obviously pregnant now! I think your dad will take pictures this weekend, specifically in my most favourite jean jacket because I've reached the point where the bottom buttons won't do up. Friends and strangers seem to get quite a kick out of this.

There are a few things we know about you now: We know you're a girl! We've seen you 3 times now in ultrasounds and each time it's memorizing. We love to watch you. You move around a lot and yesterday I felt you kick so strongly that I had to stop what I was doing and sit at my desk and cry because it was so amazing. The doctors tell us you are healthy and strong, growing well with a great little heartbeat.

One day this week when I was walking home from work I thought about what it would be like to be your momma. I caught a glimpse of myself in a window and felt very proud to be carrying around a baby girl in my belly. I was overwhelmed with the feeling and can't wait to know you. I will have a daughter. That feels pretty cool, little one.

It's Thanksgiving, my most favourite time of year. This year I have oh so much to be thankful for. It feels overwhelming.

Love, Momma.

harvest.

Wow, it's been a little while since I've posted. And it's my favourite time of year! I think between being pregnant, working and wanting to eat and/or nap all the time, I've been a tad bit distracted. So let's start going again.

What's everyone doing for the weekend? Thanksgiving is my most favourite time of year and I'm doubly looking forward to it this year for a few reasons:

+ my brother and I now live in the same Province. Can you imagine? It's been 10 years since that has happened. So this year we get TWO Thanksgiving, one in Judique with him and one in Sydney with my other family!

+ I'm trying new recipes this year. Found inspiration in this dish (minus the purple cauliflower, haven't seen any of that for sale) as well as a wild rice, butternut squash, pumpkin seed salad. Yum! Throw in some brussel sprouts smothered in cheese and carmelized onions, my mom's cheesy 'Elsie's Potatoes' and my stuffing with cranberries, apple & walnuts? Oh my...

+ And, just for fun, I tried making pumpkin pie from scratch this year! Last year my friend Alexis (and speaking of she has some awesome Thanksgiving recipes over on her blog, check them out!) taught me her awesome pie making skills and this year I put them to use. If they turn out, they will seriously be the quickest and easiest things I've ever baked. I will post pictures.

So enjoy your weekend friends! Eat well and enjoy loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!