OK, it's my blog and I can talk about what I want.  Today, I want to talk about my mom.  It was her birthday a couple days ago, and that just reminded me how lucky I am to have a mom like her.  She has done so much for each of us kids, and I know we each feel how important we are to her.  My kids absolutely love her.  My mom is probably the kindest, most non-judgemental woman I know.  She is the one that always taught us to recognize those around us who may feel a little left out, or sad, and to do our part to elevate another.  She has had to do endure her own set of trials in life and has come through with grace and integrity.  She continues to help other people overcome their own trials through her counselling.

She is also the hardest working woman I know.  She recently retired and was a little concerned that she may become bored, but she always has, and always will, fill her life with good things.

Anyways, I just needed to voice a small part of my appreciation.  The only thing that could possibly make my mom more perfect to me, would be if she was of the same faith, and thus have a better understanding of  that part of me that is so important to me and my family.  And I have faith that someday, she will ;)

4H Speeches

    The kids had 4H speeches today and I couldn't be more proud!!  Autumn and Austin placed 1st and 2nd, respectively,  in their intermediate category, and Jade placed 1st in juniors.  Autumn's  prepared speech was 'Summer Memories' and was all about her memories at Grandma & Grandpa's Montana cabin - she spoke of man-eating fish, nut-throwing squirrels and unfairly stacked waterfights (everyone against Grandpa).   Her impromptu speech was on TV Commercials (or more specifically, how much she hates them).  She was later chastised by her Grandpa, since commercials are what paid for the cabin that she has such fond memories of.
    Austin's prepared speech was actually an essay that he had written for language class - Hot Hoops (basically the history of basketball and why he loves it).  He figured he could kill 2 birds with 1 stone - I couldn't argue with that reasoning, as I probably would have done the same thing.  I actually handed in an essay for a University class on Wuthering Heights that I had originally written for a Grade 11 assignment.  I got a better mark on it  in university - exact same paper.  His impromptu speech was something like, 'How do I swindle money out of my parents?' - and the response was basically, 'Ask my Mom instead of my Dad'.  He and his buddy tied for second and had to do another impromptu each for a tie breaker.  Austin's second topic was 'My Country Life' and he did a much better job.  He spoke of the fact that even though there are a lot more chores, he loves having the room to quad, dirt bike, etc.
     Jade's prepared speech, A Dream Come True, was about the fact she finally managed to get her dad to cave and give her a puppy.  She absolutely loves our Yellow Lab, Max, that her dad got her for Christmas and it was evident in her speech. As I write this, she and Austin are trying to figure out how to make him a harness so he can practice pulling a little sled (they have big plans for Max next winter).  She did a great job even though she was docked points for being 2 seconds too short.  Her impromptu speech was on 'My Favourite Season', and again was a little short, but she did well.
    They'll all be going to Districts now, which our club happens to be hosting this year.