Friday’s Letters

Dear 2012, What a fantastic year! 2012 saw so many amazing things happen. I really thought nothing could top 2011 (the year we got married) but 2012 almost managed to do so. The year began with a trip to visit my parents in Key West, Florida during March Break. My husband and I are both teachers so we always have a week off in March. My parents decided that for Christmas, they would buy us tickets to go down and visit them for a week. Mom and Dad actually made the trek down to Key West from the East Coast of Canada. We had an absolutely fantastic week with them! It was so nice for my husband and I to spend time with both of them. We had a great time enjoying the nice weather, eating yummy suppers and playing some fun card games. Then in April, we were graced with the birth of our precious miracle niece, Molly. She was born prematurely and weighed-in at 2lbs. 1oz. She is now 9 months old and we love her very, very much. Following this, we enjoyed the weddings of my best friend as well as my brother. My best friend had been my Maid of Honor for my wedding in 2011 so it was awesome to do her the same honor this summer. The summer was filled with tons of pre-wedding related events that were tons of fun. September 1st, my brother married his best friend out in Red Deer, Alberta. My whole family flew out West for the big day. We had a great time touring around Calgary and Banff. It was the first time my husband saw the Mountains on the Alberta side so it was pretty special. Upon our return, my husband and I finally decided it was time to start a little family. We had enjoyed a fully year of marital bliss and knew that we were ready to have our family grow . Sure enough, I got pregnant immediately!!! I am beyond grateful that it was as easy as it was because I know it can be much more difficult for some. I also know how high the rate for miscarriages can be. I would like to say that I’m not scared but the thought does cross my mind from time to time that this could still be a possibility although I know the chances decrease significantly after 12 weeks so I am really hoping we are in the clear! I’m starting to get REALLY EXCITED because we get to find out if it is a GIRL or a BOY on January 30th. I know some prefer the surprise but hubby and I would like to be fully planned by the time the little one arrives. We’re thinking of throwing a gender reveal party sometime next month to share the news with all our family and friends. 2012 was pretty exciting but I have a feeling 2013 will bring tons of new adventures and excitement with Baby J!

Sheila xox

Ps. I’ve linked up with Ashley’s Friday Letters over on her blog The Sweet Season. First time entry! : )  

Best 2012 Memories

Happy New Year to you all!

I hope 2012 was everything you hoped for & then some …

As a way to recap the year, I thought back to all of the special memories that happened and chose my top 10 from 2012. The pictures are found in order as they happened throughout the year… so from January to December.

Enjoy!

1) Trip to visit my parents in Key West, Florida during March Break!

2) The birth of our precious little miracle niece.
Born prematurely and weighing in at 2lbs. 1oz., she is truly a miracle & we love her very much! xox

3) Cavendish Country Concert for some pre-bachelorette fun with the ladies. Alabama & Rascal Flatts were amazing!

4) Best friend’s big BACHELORETTE @ Broadleaf Farms, N.B.

(She would kill me for posting this in so many media forms but I know she’ll still love me…)

5) Becoming Godparents! xo
When hubby’s sister asked both of us to be our niece’s godparents,
we were truly touched and blessed.

6) Best Friend’s Wedding! In true country form …

7) First Year Anniversary Trip!
Hubby, Boots & I decided to pack up and head down to my husband’s uncle’s camp which is right on the Miramichi River.
We had beautiful weather, enjoyed each other’s company
& Boots was obviously in Heaven!

 

 

 

8) Brother’s Wedding in Red Deer, Alberta!
It was so special for me to have my baby brother marry the woman of his dreams and best friend. She is an amazing person and I am so lucky to call her a sister now.

 

 

 

9) Trip to NYC with Mom!!!
It was my first time in the Big Apple and had an amazing time with my mom seeing the sites, enjoying a few shows and getting a little shopping in, of course!

 

 

 

10) BEST MOMENT OF ALL ……………..

Baby J!

My husband and I could not be more excited to be welcoming our first child, June 2013!

2012 was an amazing year but …
I have a feeling that 2013 will be even better!

 

Sheila xox

Big Announcement!

 

YUP! That’s right. Hubby & I are expecting a little one in June!

I know I haven’t been a consistent blogger but I feel like when I first began my blog,
I was blogging about our wedding planning process.
Now that I’m pregnant, there is loads to blog about again as well as tons more time to blog as I have been finding myself snuggled up at home much more often than before. 

Hubby and I finally made it public knowledge (a.k.a. FB knowledge) this past Friday!! We had tons of congratulatory messages from people which was so nice. So many people are excited for us which is so touching and very exciting! We are very blessed to have the family and friends that we do.

It was definitely a tough secret to keep from others. I felt so relieved once everyone knew!

We even found out that some of our close friends are due the day before us!!!! I mean what are the chances. I cannot believe and am still in shock over that news. We will be able to share loads this coming year for sure as well as being on mat leave together all next year. It is perfect.

I had my first doctor’s appointment on Friday which was also my birthday (awesome birthday gift btw) and was told that everything is going well and the baby is healthy. I have to go for blood work this week and will have another appointment in a month which feels so far away.

Our first u/s is only at 18 weeks – is this normal?
I feel like that is later than most but really have no idea.

Anyways, hubby and I are thrilled and super excited! We were so lucky in that it happened right away. I know sometimes couples can be TTC for a few years so we consider ourselves extremely lucky and very blessed!

Originally, I thought it was maybe girl but now I am leaning towards boy. Hubby is absolutely convinced that it is a mini-him lol. I guess we will have to wait and see!!!

 

Sheila xox

*Bridal Gown for Sale*

One of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make has been …

whether to sell my bridal gown OR not!

After a lot of thinking, I have decided to go ahead and sell my gown.

A part of me would like to put it in a sealed box and keep it forever …

but another part of me would like to see someone else enjoy it as much as I have for a day.

So, I have put up my gown on kijiji.ca but have NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE PERSON try and contact me.

So .. BLOGGERS – I NEED YOUR help & advice.

Is it worth putting money towards placing the ad in the top ads?
Do you have any other suggestions that might help me get some response?-

Visit my kijiji ad here!

and here is a picture of my gorgeous
Maggie Sottero – Fiorella gown …

Any suggestions would be gladly welcomed! Thank you : )

Sheila xox

Sneak preview

So ... My best friend, Chantel got married to her best friend Kevin in August! :)

I was truly honored to be her matron of honor which was so special because she was mine the summer before!

Last night, my friend Sylvie & I got a special SNEAK PEAK at some of her professional pictures.

They are absolutely amazing!

I have no idea how she will be able to pick just 200 out of 4000!!!

Such a Difficult task.

We wrote down some of our favorites to help her out.

Here is one pic her photographers had online (which I added a banner using the labelbox app- love!)

Stay tuned for more folks! ... :)

Happy Saturday!

Classroom philosophy

I found this great poster on pinterest

& wanted to share …

Pinned by Angela Watson here!

It is so important for students to know that it is not about them individually but rather, about ‘WE’ together as a group.

It’s about what we can do as a classroom community to celebrate one another and feel good about all of our efforts.

I absolutely love my 25 students.

They work hard & respect one another.

They are also very creative which is amazing to see.

I know 2012-2013 will be another amazing year!

Have a great day!

Sheila xox

Weekends go too fast!

Happy Monday Bloggers!

It has been quite some time since my last post which I am totally frustrated about because I thought I was back for good. I don’t know why but I can’t seem to get into a blogging routine at all. My life has been fairly busy though since the new school year has begun… so I feel as though I have an excuse.

Here are some of the things that have happened in my life so far:

My little brother got married!! :)

(From left to right: Hubby, Moi, Tara, my brother Robbie, Mom, & Dad)

He married the most fantastic lady! I just love her to pieces. They got married on September 1st in Red Deer, Alberta. My entire family flew out and we were there for a week!

We had such a great time! We got to visit Banff with my awesome aunts, uncles & cousins for an entire day (which I had already seen from living out West for a year after high school) …

~Banff, Alberta~

 

We even rode the Banff Gondola which brought us up to Sulphur Mountain.

 

The view at the top was just incredible!

All in all it was a fantastic trip, beautiful wedding & amazing time with family.

Now it’s back to the routine. I had so many plans and goals to accomplish this weekend & I did not do anything yesterday except relax at home. I’m sure it was much needed but now today, Monday, I feel totally unorganized & slightly stressed.

What are some of your weekend routines?

What helps you stay organized?

Sheila xox