YOU KNOW IT'S COLD WHEN...

You think it is warm when it warms up to -25. Seriously everybody keeps talking about how warm it is outside. It honestly does feel warm after such a cold snap.

DECEMBER?????

Can you believe that it is almost December. Time to start decorating. Every day I plan to begin after school, but I always get so busy with other things that before I know it, it is 9:00 pm and I am too tired to decorate. Maybe on the weekend we will get some done.

REPORT CARDS:

Well, tomorrow is report card day. However, since we are in cahoots with the kids' teacher he gave us their report cards today. As usual, I am very proud of my kids. They obviously take after me with their academic achievements! LOL! Naomi earned straight A's and Hannah and Josh both had a mix of A's and B's. Sometimes as a parent you want your kids to be getting fantastic grades on everything (especially when you are working in the school). Every time report card time roles around I have to remind myself that when I was in high school I would have been exstatic if I received a C in math. I guess sometimes the pressure to succeed is too great. Don't get me wrong, our kids are all bringing home excellent report cards. I just have to remind myself that their school education is only a small part of what is important. I am more interested in having them do their best and being confident and happy. So, I suppose we have succeeded in accomplishing those goals. Our children have learned some great skills since we moved here. Naomi has a beautiful pair of mukluks that she made and Hannah made me a wonderful pair of mitts last year and is making herself some this year. Josh is almost finished making a pair of moccasins. Anyways, now I am just babbling on. I guess what I wanted to say was that I am extremely proud of my genius children.

A NEW BLOG

Brian has now started his own blog.

http://www.primordial-blog.blogspot.com/

Check it out. You may not agree with everything he has to say, but feel free to leave a comment or two. Especially take time to view the video link he has on his first entry.

WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES

We learned today of an awful tragedy that has occured in a family that we knew from Kitimat. Their daughter, who was about 17, was found dead in their home this past week. They are not sure who has done this horrific thing, but her father is being held at the police station. At this point we don't even know how she died. I have spent the day in a state of shock. I never know how to react to a situation like this. I can only pray that somehow the family will make it through this tragedy. There is nothing more horrible than losing a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

WEATHER

O.K. I have heard some complaining about the weather down south there (snow, cold, etc). Just to make you feel better think about what we are enduring. We currently have about a foot of snow and on Wednesday night we kept checking the thermometer all night and watched the temperature steadily drop. Thursday morning when we got up it was -45. This morning it is currently -48. When you look outside there is a fog that doesn't lift until about noon. Let's just say, we are burning wood at a steady pace and only go outside when we have to. It is almost like a respite at work because so many kids stay home. So, all in all, even though it is extremely cold, I don't mind, I actually kind of enjoy it in a weird, demented sort of way. Deirdre Dion (the skier who broke her back and is back competing) is supposed to come to our school this afternoon - I don't know if they will make it because of the cold, but if they do I would love to see her reaction to this cold when she steps off the plane.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish my mother-in-law a very happy birthday. You are so wonderful. I don't think of you as an in-law, but as a mother and you treat me as your own daughter. I really appreciate all you do for us. I couldn't ask for better family. You hear so many horror stories about people and their in-laws, but I am very happy that we have never had those experiences. So, I hope you have a fabulous birthday. Love you lots.