Today I leave for the retreat. Everything is packed except my clothes. Who needs clothes anyway??? I'm excited about going for three days. This time we've extended the retreat by a day as it just wasn't long enough!

On my to do list today is:
-pack my clothes (I think they may kick me out if I start to smell.)
-load the car
-Matt has a doctor's appointment
-clean the house (I don't know why I bother because it will be in even worse state by the time I get home.)
-pick up boys from school (do I really have too?????)
-get the boys to get working on their homework before I go
-clean out the van (now that's just nasty!)
-pick up two of my scrapping buddies
-hit a store on the way up to the retreat
-check in
-have fun!!!!!

Can't I just skip down the list to the last four?

This is a photo of the last retreat of some brave girls doing the Macarana (did I spell that right?)

I have been so busy in the last couple of weeks trying to get everything for the scrapbooking retreat that I do twice a year. I've been running around trying to find something that I need for the make and takes. I think I've spent 4 days just running from store to store. Today, I finally found it in the last store I checked. Wouldn't it figure! Now, I just have to pack everything up and then I can focus on getting my own stuff ready.

One of the moms from the Halton Junior Jazz Band sent me this link to an article that was in the Hamilton Spectator. I wish I had the real article, but I've printed this one off. Hamilton Spectator Article

Wow! What fantastic weather we are having. Yesterday it was sunny and a wonderful 20 degrees outside. Cameron has taken up his position in the backyard. He has all of his trucks, tools, some of my kitchen utensils outside with him. He has been happily digging in the dirt and stones. Apparently he is making a mine. Hmmm... diamonds would be nice. What a boy!

Wednesday night Spencer was at the Halton Showcase. Every year the Halton board of Education rents out Hamilton Place (a good size concert hall) and showcases some of the school music groups from around the region. Most of the groups are high school. Every year the Halton Junior Jazz Band is invited to play. They played so well. Spencer has a solo in one of the pieces and it amazes me that he can get up in front of thousands of people and play a solo without being nervous at all. I couldn't do it in front of ten! When they were done, the audience gave them a standing ovation (the only one for the night.) It was such a proud moment for us, and for the 20 kids who play in the band.

Places I have lived.

Over the course of my life, I have lived in a few different places but mostly around the same area.

When I was born, we lived in what was then called Cooksville. It is now a part of Mississauga. I lived there until grade 3. My memories of living there revolve around the number of kids that lived on the block and the fun we had. In those days you could go out and play and not worry about child predators. We were always outside playing games like hide-and-seek with all the kids. My memories are all fun ones.

In grade three, we moved to Brampton. I was so excited to move because the house was much bigger, and it was a two-story. I no longer had to share a room with two sisters, but one brother. I lived in that house until two years after graduating college. I have so many memories of that house and the times our family spent there. Most of my growing up years were there and when I think of "home" that is the place that comes to mind.

When I was 23, I moved out on my own. It was pretty exciting for me as I felt like I was an adult for the first time in my life. It was a small one bedroom basement apartment and I loved it.

John and I got married in 1987 and I moved to London (Ontario) where he was working. It was a tough transition for me as I was now two hours away from all my family and friend, but it didn't take me long to settle in. I fell in love with London and would move back there in a heartbeat. We had our first home there where Matthew was born. When he was two we moved to a larger home where Spencer was born. We were only in London for 8 years.

In 1994 we moved to Barbados when John took a position in an insurance company there. Although it was a tough move to make, we settled in very quickly and started to enjoy life in the Carribean. We quickly made strong and lasting friendships, and our friends immediately became family. We all have so many fond memories of the five years that we spent there. Cameron was born there. After 5 years, it was time to return to Canada.

In 2000, we moved back to Canada and settled here in Oakville. Life is good, even with the bumps in the road along the way. I have no plans on moving again any time soon.

Happy Easter

I can't believe that Easter is here already. This whole winter has just seemed to fly by ... probably because we really didn't have winter this year.

Today is absolutely gorgeous out. It's 20 degrees Celcius right now. ...and it's April! I hope it's like this all weekend. The weather man is calling for some rain, but as long as it's not cold I can live with it.

We have a busy weekend ahead. Tomorrow we have the Good Friday service at Church and then we will head to my sister's to have a small family get together there. There won't be many. We'll miss you guys! I really wish you were here. It's times like this that I miss you the most.

Saturday is for shopping and friends. Spencer is going paint balling for the first time with his buddies. He's really looking forward to it. When he gets home we will head down to our neighbours for the evening. We haven't been able to spend time with these friends all winter due to hockey and soccer, so I'm really happy that we will be able to spend the evening together.

Sunday morning we will be up and out very early. We have to be down in Toronto for the Sonrise service, followed by breakfast, and then Church. Then we need to whip out of there to get to Guelph to spend the afternoon with my in-laws.

I'm sure that Monday will be very quiet around here with everyone sleeping!

My sister Joanne has finally set up her Blog. FINALLY!! I've added a link to her's on mine so you can go and check her's out.

This week has been an interesting one. I scrapbook on Tuesdays with a group of ladies. A lot of us have been going for several years now. I always really enjoy going and spending time with this wonderful group of ladies. I consider each and every one of them very dear friends. Well, something came up this week that has made me feel that maybe it's time to move on. You know how sometimes you just come to that realization? It just might be time for a change.

Well, I don't know why I'm blogging today. I don't really have too much to share. ...but I'm bored, so here I am.

It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We just got home from Church and everyone is off doing their own thing. We had a Sunday afternoon Musicale today, so we had to stay down in Toronto for lunch. The music was wonderful, but as always, not too many were in the congregation for it. We had the North York singing company. Man, can those kids sing! They were awesome.

I got to go and crop for the day yesterday. My friend, Joanne, had a crop at her Church for a fund raiser. It was a fun day. I didn't even get any calls. Not because they didn't try ... but because I couldn't get a signal on my phone in the basement. hahahaha.

Cameron has been such a social butterfly this week. He and his buddies have been meeting at the community pool each night to play "shark." He was at a birthday party yesterday (that he forgot to tell us about!) and today his buddy Tyson is over. I think I may take them down to the lake to skip stones or something. It's much to nice to stay inside.

I went Scrapbook shopping on Friday with Joanne and Michele. We hit two stores, spent a ton of money, and then went for lunch. We are busy trying to get our next retreat (which is in three weeks ... can't wait) together. I've got so much to do still for it.

Well, it's awfully quiet, so I'd better see where Cameron and Tyson are. Quiet does not equal good!

What does Barb need?

Now this is just too funny. There is a little game that's going around on the internet. I've noticed it in a few Blogs. What you do is go to Google and type in your name and then the word needs and do a search. It's very funny what comes up.

Here's what I got:

My Beautiful Barbara Needs a Miracle. (I know that I'm not a perfect person by any stretch, but a miralce? Hmmmmm............)
What Barb needs to learn is control. (OK, this is definately true sometimes!)
Barb needs to be eliminated. (Oh oh. Should I be watching over my shoulder?)
Barb needs to be kept in groups of five or more. (This is only true when I'm at a crop.)
Barb needs to be fed a variety of foods including vegetables as well as meaty foods. (hey, I don't see chocolate on that list!)
Barb needs a chairperson for the Homecoming Float Committee. (hmmmmm ... do I?)
Barb needs to cry a little more and fully release it. (Oh, I think I cry just enough thank you)
Barb needs a family that appreciates her endearing and happy personality. (yes she does!)
Barb needs to be taken to the hospital. (I will if someone is trying to eliminate me!)
Barb needs to replenish the money she spent. (Shhhhhh! Don't tell John!)
Barb needs to check the status of the ILL amendments and defects submitted to ISO regarding Version 2. (OK, I'll get right on that!)
Bab needs to be removed after a stingray sting ... (Ouch!)
Barb needs announcement e-mailed to her. (hey, what announcement? What am I missing?)
Barb needs a tutor to help her understand the difference between china, porcelain tableware, and China, the country and its culture. (hey... I wasn't the best student, but I think I know the differentce!)
Barb needs a record contract...now. (bet you didn't know that I could sing! ...neither did I.)
Then the hose Barb needs to be unscrewed from the reg. (I beg your pardon?????)
Barb needs to give out whatever she is receiving. (I'm not even touching this one!)
Barb needs to mail a letter. (actually, I do!)
Barb Needs a Vacation (truer words have never been spoken.)
Barb needs as much help as possible. (OK, we're getting a little personal here!)
Barb needs to get a grip. (Why are we getting nasty?)
Barb needs to be able to work with both parts. (another one I'm not touching!)
Barb needs more catchup? (if you mean sleep, yes I do.)
Barb needs a movement. (hey!I had one already today.)

Apparently there's more that I need, but I can't take anymore.

What do you need?

It's officially over for another season.

Well, the hockey season is officially over. Yesterday Spencer had his team party, and today Cameron has his. Check Cameron out in his gear. Is there anything cuter than a child in hockey equipment.

I never thought I would be a hockey mom. I always said that I didn't want my boys to play either football or hockey, but then I had a boy who adores sports. When we returned to Canada, he was so excited at the thought of strapping on skates and getting out on the ice. I gave in. How could I not?

Here we are 6 years later. All the boys have played and my past 6 winters have been spent in the arena several times a week. For the one year that all three boys played I was in the cold arena at least six times a week. ...and I actually enjoyed it. I can't say that I enjoyed the 6 a.m. practises (and there have been plenty of those) but I have really enjoyed standing in the stands (literally as the seats are way to cold to sit on!) watching them and encouraging them.

It has been a wonderful experience. We have had wonderful coaches and great parents. No one has gotten loud, rude, or arguementative. We've won some and lost some. Each one of the boys have been on winning teams that have won the championship, and each have been on teams that have not done so well. It never really seems to matter to the kids if they lose. They always have fun and learn so much about team work.

After 6 years I can say that I am a proud hockey mom! ...and I look forward to it all starting again in 7 months.

Family

I've been thinking a lot about family lately. Maybe because more of my family have started blogging, or because my sister was here for visit from Calgary, or because I've been speaking alot with my brother and sister-in-law in Calgary lately trying to plan our three week vacation there this summer. Whatever the reason, I've been thinking about how important my family is to me and how blessed we are to have such a wonderful support.

There are seven children in my family, and six in John's. As you can imagine, when we all get together now, it is quite caotic. My parents did an amazing job in raising us all to be independant as adults, and yet close as siblings. We don't spend our lives in each other's pockets. We all have our own lives, and yet we can still remain each other's best friends. We are there for each other no matter what. We share in each other's joys, and help each other through the difficult times. I know that I can go to my family members and share my heartaches and know that they will be there to support me. This was very evident when we went through a very trying situation just before Christmas. My family were there to hold me up when I needed them most. They weren't judgemental but totally understanding. They cried with me, and prayed with me.

I've also been blessed with a wonderful second family. My parents always taught me that when I got married I was part of two families. It was important to my mother for us to learn that holidays needed to be shared equally between both sides. Both sets of grandparents need the equal opportunity to spend time with the grandchildren. John's family is a wonderful, supportive network for us and I feel so blessed to have them as my in-laws. We try very hard to make sure that our boys have a close relationship with both sides of the family. That is so important to us. Now that my boys are getting older, I realize just how important these values are to teach them. It bothers me to see someone get married and give up their own family to become part of another one. They are missing out on so much ... and their children are really missing out on a wonderful relationship with two families.

I know that no matter what we may go through in this life, we can overcome because we have the love and support of two families behind us. With all those people supporting us, how can we not succeed?