Update Coming Soon

I wanted to post on my blog - but as usual after school people stop in to chat and my hubby will be here soon to pick me up. We don't have internet at home currently sooo...I will be posting soon to update you on things...

Elementary Education Part 1

It is with a heavy heart that I type this blog. I have spent a lot of time reflecting over my students and how much I care about them and want to make a difference in their lives. Some days I feel like I'm getting through, and other days I can't help but be disappointed by the behavior of someone. When I was at the Christian School the worst thing I had to deal within fifth grade was a child taking another child's lunch money. While teaching here I've dealt with major 5th grade bullying of which I am unable to go into detail. Prior to some major incidences I said to my husband, I have until June to make a difference. I have these kids until June and then they're off to middle school, and I may never see some of them again." One Friday afternoon while disciplining a student, I poured myself into him, telling him that I believed in him and that he had the potential to make a difference. The next day I went into the school to do some work and find broken windows in the gym and in the doorway - the school had been broken into. On Monday, my student, the one I had poured myself into, was in my classroom and I was informed that he had been involved. I was disappointed, but even as I write this, I have to believe that I can make a difference. Despite what the world may try to tell me, I have the Lord's strength and prayer to pull me through. I may not be able to tell these kids about Christ, but I can let them see Him in my actions (which isn't always easy when dealing with 23 ten year olds).

Lord give me the wisdom to know how to speak to these children.

ARIANNA IS CURRENTLY IN 1ST PLACE!

Okay, so I've spent this past week teaching and getting organized (something of which I can hardly wait to fill you in on once I get settled - I don't dare tell you how much time I spent in this classroom over the weekend...Let's just say if you can remember my work habits from school and the way I love to excell you should have a good indication. I have a great husband - he has helped hang stuff and cut stuff and love me all the way through my overwhelming "I must suceed and do well" attitude).

Anyways, ARIANNA is currently in FIRST place. The poll ends on October 16 at 12:00 Midnight (I think), so PLEASE VOTE!!! Get a friend to vote, get that friend to get a friend to vote. We have people in Europe voting and other parts of the world. In case you forgot where to go, just click on the link below:
http://timnew.com/arianna.html

KEEP UP THE VOTING. I'm so excited. I love my girls! I don't have my own children, but I love my sister's girls as if they were my own. I even get to see Sheridan here at school sometimes. And yes, I let her call me Aunt Sarah :)

On a side note, I love having high speed at the computer in my classroom. I can listen to Christian radio in Florida here in little Perth. Ahh...music helps me keep my sanity.

VOTE FOR ARIANNA!

My friends, my niece is currently in fourth place. Remember you can only vote once a day (only one vote per household), but please vote. The voting for this period ends October 15. We have to close the gap! Get a friend to vote. For more information go to:
http://timnew.com/arianna.html

This is so exciting.

I GOT THE JOB!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I was offered the 5th grade position yesterday morning while I was at the school substitute teaching. (Would you believe that it's only the second week of school and I've substitute taught at the same school three days this week?) My boss Jon said to me, "It's evident that the staff here is behind you." As I made the announcement in the staff room the secretary gave me a hug and said, "I was in your corner Sarah!!" Words can't express how good it feels to know that I will be working in a school where the staff supports me and where I feel so welcome. It's located right in town, so Ben can drop me off in the morning and then go to work at the church. The timing is just so perfect. God is so good! It's a year maternity leave position. The Lord definitely opened the doors for this opportunity and I'm SUPER EXCITED!

Thanks for those of you out there who may have been praying for me. I could use your prayers in the coming months as I try to balance everything.

I probably won't be able to post too much in the next few months as lesson preparation, teaching, and the life of a pastor's wife will be demanding much of my time. I'll do my best to check in on you all when I can, but those of you who have taught understand how demanding the job can be in the beginning stages while you get organized. I will say that the teacher I am replacing is AMAZING and extremely organized, so it should be an easy transition as I will have time to go and observe her teach before I actually have to take her place in October.

Today I also received a surprise vase of a dozen red roses from mom and dad Crockett (one set of in-laws) to congratulate me. I've been looking at them and smelling them all day. I love flowers :)

Praise the Lord! He has provided yet again!

Aside from this teaching news, I have a favor to ask. Check this out: http://timnew.com/arianna.html
and do as it says at least once for an aunt who would do anything for her little girls. Thanks to Tim New for making the website in hopes that my girl will win :)

The weeks events

Okay, so I've spent the week doing a number of things that have made it hard for me to post and respond. Let me explain:

1) Cleaning and Organizing - Every Spring and Fall I like to clean and reorganize areas in the apartment that have become cluttered. I decide what is worth keeping and what needs to go. I also decorate according to the change in seasons. I love the fall. I'm quite pleased with how the sunroom has turned out this year. I still have to tackle my nemisis - the spare room. I have a drawer full of notes that Ben and I exchanged over our six years of dating and three years of marriage. I'll keep you posted!

2) Reading Old Journal Entries - LOL - Let's just say that I have some hilarious entries regarding the first few summers Ben and I knew each other before we were dating. Oh the stories I could tell!! I had crushes on other guys, but I'd still write about Ben..."Ben and I gave each other a big hug..."(after our team had won something). "I asked Ben to come talk to me and I was upset and crying. Ben said, 'I'll go get Shane on one condition - you go up there and sing your heart out.'" This is my personal fav, "We talked about stuff and I told him (Ben) someday he would get hooked up with the woman God has for him and she'll be so committed to God and him and they'll be happy." LOL!!!!! Ironic don't you think??

3) Elementary School - There is a maternity leave position for 5th grade at the school in the community and I have my heart set on it. A lot of the teachers are rooting for me and one even recommended me to the new principal. I've been in to meet him, but I also know that it's in the Lord's hands because I've done my part in trying to get this job. If it's ment for me to have the job then it will be so, if not, then He must have something else in mind for me.

4) Phantom of the Opera - Can I just say that I love theatre? Especially musicals. I borrowed this from someone and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Needless to say, Ben doesn't share my enthusiasm, so I watched it by myself, and yes, I cried because I'm a sap.

Pictures: Take Three

This is Amanda's wedding party! (l-r): Erica, Amanda, Katrina, Leah, and me!
This is one of my best friends - Amanda - with her husband to be Eric. They'll be getting married May of next year.

Pictures: Take Two

Sheridan enjoys playing in the sand at the beach on Grand Manan.
This is one of my favorite pictures of Charisma. She is actually running after a kite that her daddy is flying and I managed to get the shot with my camera.
Charisma and Sheridan are enjoying themselves at the park on Grand Manan.
This is me at the beach with my sandcastle.

Pictures: Take One

More pictures to come - These ones are all mixed up but it took me forever to get them uploaded (gotta love dial-up). Stay tuned!

The sandcastle king: What a guy!

While on Grand Manan we had a camp fire. Tim Branscombe and Ben were in charge of the fire.
The Tatton girls (Robin & Holly) and I sat and watched the boys try to keep the fire going. It lasted long enough for us to make some smores.

During our visit to Ottawa we got to spend some time with our nephew Alexander Canney.

Romeo - Carmine and Dan's beloved dog. He went with us to Hershey Park. We love this little guy.









King of Prussia, PA - A visit with our friends Carmine and Dan Bortner. Congrats to Dan who just got promotion within his clothing company Diesel. He and Carm will be moving to the Big Apple which will make another great spot for us to visit!

I'm BAAA-AAACK!

Okay, I'm finally back and looking forward to updating this much neglected blog. Ben and I have had an incredible summer and I intend on showing some pictures asap. Here's a quick update:

1. Ben and I were able to vacation in King of Prusia (PA), Ottawa, Sussex, and Grand Manan this summer. Ben and I even had a sand castle competition on the beach (He was way more into it then me. I just came up with the idea so he wouldn't get bored.) We only have two weeks of vacation so each week was filled to the brim, but it was totally worth it. As mentioned earlier pictures are on the way.

2. Ben and I were head counsellors for a week at Riverside Senior High Camp. We were both exhausted at the end of it but we had a blast. We did video room inspections which were a hit. At the end of the week we got to see Three Season Ant - I love those guys. It was so nice to be poured into after having poured ourselves out the entire week.

3. I had an interview to get my name on the long term supply list. I still don't have full time work at the moment, but I am content knowing that I should get plenty of short-term work once school starts. If I'm not working full time this fall I may get to go to a youth specialties conference with my hubby which would be nice.

4. We're going camping at Mr. Carleton this weekend with our youth group. Last time we went camping Ben refused to get up with me to walk me to the pottie to pee in the night. I had to go all by myself. He said he was too cold. Go figure.

5. My niece Sheridan will be starting school in a few weeks! Wowzers. She can already read though - compliments of her dedicated mother who has worked with her at home.

6. How do you upload pictures onto your blog? I've done it before but the way Ben showed me seems a bit complicated as it involves using another web page. Is there an easier way?

An Update on the Canney Household

The above picture is of Benjamin and me with our three beautiful nieces: Sheridan, Arianna, and Charisma. I can only hope that one day we'll be blessed with children as sweet as them!


* I graduated from UMPI - Summa Cum Laude (highest honours) - with a Bachelor of Science
in Elementary Education. Amy Smith has a pic on her blog of us under the blog title:
University of Maine at Presque Isle Graduation http://www.amyruth.blogspot.com/
(Typically she'd be listed in my links but I obviously haven't updated those...)

* I've been substitute teaching quite regularly - sometimes up to 3.5 days a week

* I am now certified to teach in the State of Maine, and should all go as planned, I'll be certified
to teach in the Province of New Brunswick.

* That being said, I've been busy updating my resume and working on a portfolio as I hope to
find full time work.

* Benjamin and I will celebrate 3 years of marriage next week on the 21st. We are also going on
vacation for the week - driving to PA and then to Ontario. I am looking forward to this as we
haven't had any time for each other in what seems like months. We're always coming and
going - it's craziness! When we do have time to sit together for a meal, the phone never seems
to stop ringing.

* He and I took part in the Relay for Life last weekend with a team from our church. It's a fund
raiser for Cancer in which you camp out on a track and stay up all night while different
members of your team walk around the track. Throughout the night there was karoke,
entertainment, etc. We were both wiped out after that.

* Ben has to preach this weekend in the evening and then we're heading for PA!!

* Did I mention that we NEED a vacation? We haven't been on one since last August.

* I have so much on my mind that I think my head's about to explode. That being said, I really
can't complain, because I am blessed. I do love my life - craziness and all.

me + pocket-rocket = a very unfortunate event

I am married to a very adventurous man. This adventurous man has challenged me over the course of our relationship to try new adventurous things. If you know me, you know that I like to keep my feet on the ground. Upside-down roller coaster rides scare me, sky-diving terrifies me...I can stand on the edge of a cliff but I have no desire to repell down it. I have tried outdoor wall climbing and indoor wall climbing as a means of impressing my husband by trying to do something that he absolutely loves. And so, on Tuesday, May 30, I endevoured to once again make my husband proud of me.

I arrived at the church later than usual because I had to tend to some things at home. A large group of teens were outside with my husband enjoying the evening sun. As I stepped out of the car, I noticed one of the girls on something peculiar. It looked like a crotchrocket that had been put into the drier and shrunk. It was about the size of something that my 4 year-old niece could ride. I was soon told that it was a 'pocket-rocket.'

As I chatted with the teens, my husband said to me, "Honey, you should try it! I did. It's a lot of fun." The owner, whom we call by his last name, Patterson, said, "Yeah, come try it!"

"Well...I don't know...I am accident prone and I've never been on a dirt bike before..." as the words trailed out of my mouth I thought to myself that perhaps it wouldn't be so difficult.

"It's not hard! Come give it a try." Oh the pressure of trying to be adventurous!

I was soon shown where the brake was and the gas. My husband took a little ride on it to show me just how easy it was.

As I sat on the tiny device, I remember feeling nervous as I tried to get my feet situated.

"Crack open the gas!" Patterson said.

"Sarah, just go easy on the gas," My husband said.

It was like two little people sitting on either side of my shoulder trying to tell me what to do.

"Crack it open! Come on!" said Patterson.

"Take your time. Go easy." said my husband.

As I "cracked open" the gas, I squealed with delight as I took off, and in a matter of three seconds I started wobbling. "Uh-oh" I remember thinking, "How do I slow down? I'm losing control..." Then, the pocket-rocket headed from the pavement to the lawn, and as I flew over the top of it and face first into the grass I remember thinking, "I'm such an idiot." As I laughed and cried at the same time due to my embarrassment, I thought to myself, "Why? Why did you have to do this in front of the whole youth group?" Some of the guys took up for me which made me feel a little better, but I must admit that I was thoroughly embarrassed.

"Are you hurt?" said one of the teens.

"No," I responded, "I think the only thing hurting right now is my pride!"

Needless to say, I think I missed out on $20,000 from America's Funniest Home Videos.

I know...I know...

Ben and I having fun at May Rally '06.

Yes I realize this is the third time I've changed around my blog, and yes, I realize I haven't responded to your blogs, so of course I don't expect you to respond to mine. If it means anything I've been preoccupied with graduation and teaching, but I really am going to make an effort to revisit your lives and respond to your blogs while updating mine (yeah I know I sound like a broken record).

Sorry about the links...I botched things up when I chose a new template and now I have to remember who I had listed, track down all of your blogs and upload them onto my links yet again. Argh!

Yeah I know I'm pathetic...

Life Changes

So I've been away from the blogging world for awhile. After finishing my courses, I took off to visit my grandmother DeeDee on Grand Manan for a weekend with my brother and his wife and then I went to Sussex to visit my parents. While on Grand Manan I had a second opportunity to hear my brother speak about his missions trip to Africa, and I'm convinced I could never tire of hearing about his trip. It's just exciting to me that God has worked in the life of my brother and his wife and has revealed Himself to them in a real and fresh way.

While visiting DeeDee I was reminded of how quickly life can change. It seems like yesterday I was a child peering up at the counter as she kneaded dough for rolls and set it by the window to raise. Once the rolls were baked we'd pack a picnic lunch complete with fresh bread, red juice, and cookies and head for the beach with cousins and aunts. Now it is I who kneads the dough and bakes the rolls. The progression has gone from Dee Dee baking them with me watching, to Dee Dee helping me make them, to Dee Dee laying in bed while I make them. It is hard to see someone you love weaken in health. Life changes are not always easy to adjust to.

I am looking forward to summer. A summer without the stress of school. A summer where I can hopefully slow down a bit and take a day at a time. It'll be three years for Benjamin and I this summer, and I can't get over how quickly time has flown and how our lives have changed in such a short time.

And so I sit here in a mellow mood, thinking about life changes. There are other changes that are happening in my life, but an on-line blog is just not the place, as these are things that I would much rather talk about with a personal friend curled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate.

Thanks for checking in, and please be patient with me as I finally try to get around to reading and responding to your blogs.

Good for a Laugh

Okay, so I went to this site: http://www.quizgalaxy.com/result.php?q=83&r=1
to figure out what my name would be defined as for I had seen it on other people's blogs. I discovered that if I typed in my name, every time it would come up with a different definition - it wasn't always the same definition. So here are some of the definitions I was given:

Definition of Sarah (in some cases 'Sarah' was defined as a noun, in others it was defined as an adjective:
- tastes like fried chicken
- a person who laughs at everything (even this sentence)
- a person with the sixth sense of detecting the presence of goblins
- like in nature to a banana peel
- sexually stunning (hey that's pretty good - LOL)
- extremely flatulent
- smelling like turnips at all times

Also, I checked out the death psychic as was posted on Mark's blog at this address: http://www.thedeathpsychic.com/ and it was so funny that I just had to post it:

An amputee overhears you as you snicker and make jokes about him. Enraged, he beats you to death with his prosthetic leg.

It's a Girl: Another Beautiful Niece!

Arianna Maridel Farrell was born Monday, March 27, 2006, at around 7:36 AM. These pictures were taken the very day she was born.


I'm a busy bee right now with studies, but once I write my final exam this coming weekend, I should be back in the blogging world, and back with some new pics of Sheridan and Charisma with their new sister Arianna.

March 21, 1997

Nine years ago this past Tuesday, I was Miss NHS and Benjamin was my escort at the pageant dance. With his Mickey Mouse tie, pleated blue jeans, and brown deck shoes, he confessed to me that I was the girl for him (in a very cheesy way I might add). I had a big crush on another guy (which is ironic in itself if you knew who he was), but Benjamin had phoned me so regularly leading up to this point that I was beginning to have stronger feelings for him instead.

Benjamin was supposed to be my date for the pageant dance which was originally scheduled in February, but then he hurt his leg from jumping off of a snow bank so he was unable to come. I found another date (a very good school friend named Anthony), but then the dance was cancelled due to a storm. It was rescheduled, to which I kept my date with Anthony, but it was cancelled again due to a snow storm. When it was rescheduled the third time, for March 21, Anthony was unable to make it, and Benjamin was better by then. The rest is history.

It'll be three years of marriage for us on June 21 of this year.

I can handle students who have fits but I can't handle technology

Okay. After the day I've had (see post below) my patience has worn thin. Somebody in BloogerDom does not like me. Who are you and why are you doing this? First and foremost, for the past few days when I've wanted to check out my blog a page has come up that says, "Under Maintenance" and if you're curious, no, I haven't been doing anything to change my blog. Then I finally get my page to show up - and that's just it - it's just a page with out my template or anything. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Why a Teacher Has to Have a Sense of Humour...

Three days of teaching this week. It feels good, but boy am I tired. My day with third grade went very well, fourth grade wasn't so bad, and then today...I love second grade...but let's just say that the one student who has fits was having an "off" day. Overall I had a great day, but let me tell you...what an episode! This one particular student - we'll call her "Gina" - is known for having fits. Today it was crying fits.

EPIDSODE 1:
The scene: I'm walking the students through the steps for making a St. Patrick's Day pin. Gina keeps coming up to me as I'm assisting students in the classroom.

Gina: So-and-so's acting like a baby.
Me: Well you don't worry about so-and-so. I will.
Gina: But I have to. He's my best friend.
Me: No, you don't. Please go sit down at your desk, and I'll take care of so-and-so.

EPIDSODE 2:
The scene: Students are to be copying the instructions for the craft they made from the board. Gina is going around with the broom sweeping.

Me: Gina, I appreciate that you're cleaning the room, but it is now time to sit down and copy the instructions from the board.
Gina: I have too many things to do at once! I'm sweeping.
Me: (Standing up and approaching Gina) Please put the broom away and write down the instructions.
Gina: No.
Me: (Reaching for the broom) Give me the broom and return to your seat. If you choose not to listen, then you're choosing to be sent out of the classroom.
Gina: (Hands me the broom and returns to her seat.)

Time has passed. It's nearing snack time and those who are not finished will be staying in to finish or at least write enough to my satisfaction.

Gina: (tears streaming down her face) I'm not a good writer! Why do we have to do this?
Me: It's good writing practice.
Gina: But I can't do this! I don't want to do this!
Me: (Firm) Sometimes in school we have to do things we don't like. It's a part of the learning process. Now please get back to work. I know that you can write at least a few more sentences along with the rest of the students.
(Gina then returns to her work.)

EPIDSODE 3:
The scene: Gina is sitting at her desk, sobbing (the key word is "sobbing" folks)

Gina: I don't have any snacks in my lunchbag that I like.
Me: I can't imagine someone packing your lunch and filling it with things you don't like.
Gina: Well I don't have anything to eat.
Me: What's in your lunch?
Gina: Well...I have chocolate...chocolate...pud...pudding...but I DON'T HAVE A SPOON!
Me: Well that's not a problem. Let me get you a spoon. Would you eat it then?
Gina: Yes
(Problem solved. I gave her a spoon. She was happy.)

EPIDOSE 4:
The scene: It's right before gym class and the students are lined up outside of the gym. Might I add that Gina was fine for the whole half hour before gym class and as happy as could be.

Gina: (sobbing once again) I can't find my little toy owl!
Me: Your toy owl? Where was it?
Gina: In my pocket. I lost it at noon time.
Me: Well, I'll go look for it in the classroom.
Gina: I want to come with you.
Me: No, you need to go to Phys.Ed. I'll look for it.
Gina: Can you bring it to me if you find it?
Me: No, I'll set it on your desk. If I don't find it we'll see if it turns up before you go home. Now take a few deep breaths, and go into the gym.

Gina goes into the gym and turns into a happy 2nd grader.

THE FINAL MAJOR EPISODE:
The scene: The students are getting ready for the bus - all except for Gina. She is standing in the room, wailing at the top of her lungs, mouth gaped open, because she still can't find her owl toy.

Me: Gina, you need to get ready for the bus.
Gina: (continues to wail)
Me: Gina, your toy could be burried under all of the coats. Wait until everyone is ready. We've already looked in your desk and I've looked in the room. It'll turn up sometime.
Gina: (wailing) I need to go check in the French room.
Me: No. Mrs. Sulliven has a class in there right now. You need to calm down and wait until everyone is cleared out of the class as it could be here.
Gina: (continues to wail) I don't want to go on the bus if I can't find it!!
Me: Calm down. Take a few deep breaths. We'll look in the French room when everyone is ready.
Gina: (continues to wail)
Me: (Ignores her until everyone is else ready.)

By this time, EVERY CLASS except mine has gone out to the buses. I have another teacher take her to look in the French room while I take my class out to the bus. Once my kids are loaded, the buses are still put on hold as I literally run into the building to find Gina back in the classroom getting her bookbag and still wailing because she can't find her owl toy.

Me: (very aggrevated) Gina, get ready. The buses are waiting for you. Come on. (I put my arm around her and escort her out of the room)
Gina: (wailing) I don't want to leave without my owl toy!
Me: (stern and forceful) Gina, you are getting on the bus. You'll just have to keep checking lost and found. It could be anywhere.

Gina wailed all the way out to the bus and as she got on the bus. Never in my life have I been so glad to see a child get on the bus. The other episodes didn't frustrate me. It was the last one that did. Let's just say, that I'm glad the Lord has given me a sense of humour, because a teacher needs it.

What a day!

Hodge Podge

So I'm sitting here with a headache, wanting to read and respond to other blogs, but knowing that I have to tend to some other things first, so I apologize to you faithful bloggers if I don't respond to your posts as quickly as I did last week as I will be teaching some this week and organizing my Human Physiology notes for studying. Last week was March Break which meant that I didn't have to teach. I could just study and read blogs. Alas, I just had to post. I've spent the majority of the day getting the apartment back in order. What a job. I managed to get my winter decor - snowmen and all - packed away. I only regret decorating for the seasons when I have to pack it all away and get ready for the next season. My decor grows by the year, and I find that I have less and less room to store it (good thing we have an entry way downstairs with room for storing stuff!). You see, I love to decorate. I'm not talking about cheesy decorating. I'm talking about tasteful home decorating, and with every season, I have to change my decor (apart from spring and summer which I tie together). Spring and summer means colorful flowers, including my favorite - the daisy. Fall means colorful leaves. Winter means snowmen. I have 2-3 totes of Christmas decor alone. I've always enjoyed decorating. Even as a child I used to try and do things for the different times of the year - on a smaller scale of course.

My gums are recovering. I think it's getting easier to chew, but I don't dare get my hopes up. I had to cut up a hamburger on a bun with a fork and knife over the weekend. It just wasn't the same.

My brother and his wife are on their way back from Africa. I can't wait to talk to them. I've been told he's pulled out "hundreds and hundreds of teeth." Can you tell that I'm bursting with pride? I've always been proud of my brother, and now that he and his wife are serving the Lord - wow - my heart really bursts with joy! I love my family!

I received an e-mail from my mom about Dee Dee (the only grandparent I have left). Dee Dee was in the hospital with chest pains and the doctor told her what he's told her before - her heart is wearing out. I'm going to talk to mom tonight to get the full scoop, but my eyes water when I think of anything happening to Dee Dee. I have such fond memories of summers on Grand Manan with Dee Dee and Papa (and of course all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins). Papa is gone, so I can't bear to think of what Grand Manan would be like without Dee Dee.

I wrote my Biology Final yesterday. I feel really good about it, and it's a relief to have that course finished. Now I just need to finish Human Physiology which means another 3-4 weeks of studying (keep in mind I substitute teach, and I'm a very involved pastor's wife). The Lord gave me a song from a CD I was listening too as I was on my way to write the exam. Perhaps one day I'll be brave and get a little more candid about some of the "growth pains" I've been experiencing lately. I realize that growth in God is a good thing, it's just that it is so difficult at times!

I had someone from church "joke" with me yesterday about how I need to gain 10-15 more pounds. I think I really should start keeping a journal specifically for such comments. I could write a book! Hmmm..what could I give it for a title? "How to Keep Your Congregation Happy With Your Appearance: A Helpful Guide for the Pastor's Wife" or how about, "Living In a Glass House: They're not Perfect, but They Expect You To Be." If it's not my weight, it's my hair they comment on. Don't people realize that those are the two things you just don't comment to a woman about unless it's complementary?? My hair is getting longer, and one day a woman said to me, "Your hair is almost all one length. It's so cute when it's short though. I mean, you look cute all of the time, but it's so cute when it's short." Well you and I both know what she was implying. Needless to say, I've made it to the ponytail and hair clip stage which means that I'm letting it grow. I'm so unpredictable when it comes to my hair! Anyways, I try not to let these comments bother me, because I absolutely LOVE my church family. They really have been good to Ben and me. It's just that sometimes you remember those petty comments more than you remember the kind comments. Through it all, the Lord is teaching me that it's the heart that matters, not my outward appearance. "...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Well, that's the hodge podge of what has happened these past few days. I'm sure I'll have some good teaching stories by the time this week is out (I'm venturing into a fourth grade class that I've taught for Phys. Ed, but not for a full day in their classroom - oooohhhh - the unknown keeps me on my toes!).

gerber daisy template anyone?

If anyone out there knows where I can find a template that has gerber daisies on it please let me know as that is what I originally wanted to have as my new template (something with my favorite flower) - if not then I'll just stick with what I have.

milk, music, and finances

Milk - Am I the only one who has a hard time downing a tall glass of cold milk? I've been trying to drink more milk because it's good for my bones. My mother received a report from the doctor a while ago that she is two times more likely to break a bone if she falls. That reality could be mine when I am older if I do not get enough calcium. I tried this morning. I said to myself, "Sarah, you can do this. Just close your eyes and focus on getting this glass of milk into your body." Try as I did, I couldn't finish the whole thing. I will say that I have made progress though because I used to gag when I tried to drink milk. Then there are those of you who say, "Drink chocolate milk." Yes, chocolate milk is good, but it contains sugar, something that I'm "trying" to have less of (easier said than done for a chocolate adict).

Music - If you've read my husband's blog, you'll see that we've been listening to some "old" tunes. It's amazing how music can take you back to certain times in your life. For example, Audio Adrenaline's "Don't Censor Me" album takes me back to the summer that I met Ben at Beulah Camp. DC Talk's "Free At Last" reminds me of going to youth rallies - my friends and I could sing the whole CD (extra parts and all) without the CD on and we had a blast doing it.

Finances - Those of you who travelled with me on a summer team - you know how annoying I was as a treasurer. Perhaps if you had Ivan Graham sit you down and tell you that last year's summer teams had blown the budget and that the college was counting on you you would've better understood the plight of my agony. Remember when Dave wanted to tip - like what was it - $10.00 or more at a restaurant?! Anyways, I know I was stingy...now I am reliving those days as a married woman. Ben and I have a hard time sticking to our budget. My treasurer days continue to haunt me....oh the agony of it all.

the nagging of the gums

Okay, so my face is getting back to normal. I'm starting to look like myself again. The only thing is that it irritates me to talk and to smile (ironic don't you think because those are the things I do best). It's not so much painful as it is irritating. I'm not sure how to describe it except to say that it's like a constant nagging...of the gums.

Unhappy Scrappy

Well, what was funny yesterday, is not so funny today. I'm even more swollen - I don't even look like me. I'm starting to bruise, and to make matters worse, I've been sick to my stomach. If it weren't for my husband I'd be pretty miserable. Ben's been looking after me and loving me despite the fact that I look awful. I said to him, "For better or for worse...well, this is the worse." Then I gave him a little chipmunky grin and he smiled back at me. I'll be glad when I can have my face back.

A number of people have called from the church to see how I'm feeling which is really nice. It's feels good to know they care. I even had one woman and her two daughters pop by and give me Ben & Jerry's icecream!! Mmmm...

I finally got to see the new "Pride and Prejudice" movie. I have watched the original one before and enjoyed it, but I really enjoyed this version of it as well. I've watched it twice. I love it! If only I could have hair like Elizabeth Bennett. Wishful thinking I suppose. I thoroughly enjoy movies from that time era, and the piano accompaniment to the movie was beautiful. Mr. Darcy was everything I expected him to be. Perhaps I'm just a hopeless romantic.

Well, I must go put ice packs on my face. Fun fun...

Greetings from "Scrappy"

O.K. First I want to apologize to everyone who has been trying to read my blog. I don't know why, but for some reason it was just showing up as a blank screen. Thanks to my techy hubby I'm back in the blog world!!

Yesterday I got to experience a couple of "firsts."

The first “first” was meeting my beautiful new nephew. It was so nice to hold little Alexander. I even got to feed him and burp him. He is soooo cute. It was nice to talk with his mommy; my sister-in-law Colleen, and hear about her delivery experience. She is a strong woman, especially since she has to adjust to parenthood the first few weeks alone while her husband Bradley finishes up an RCMP lab training course in Regina. Bradley got to come to see the baby for a few days, and after getting attached to his newborn son, he had to leave for Regina.

The second “first” was getting my wisdom teeth surgically removed. Now, I’ve had one wisdom tooth removed, but the pain from that experience was nothing compared to getting the other three out. The surgery went very well. Dr. Edwards did a great job. I wasn’t nervous, and I was awake for the whole procedure. After the dentist soon realized I was relaxed and easy to joke with, it was smooth sailing. I even laughed (or at least attempted to) during some points in the procedure to which his assistant said, “And she’s not even on laughing gas!” He told me afterwards that I made “a difficult procedure easy.” You see, my bottom wisdom teeth were literally sideways and pushing against my other teeth. After he “got in there” he saw that they were infected and they just didn’t want to come out. They ended up having to come out in very little pieces. Afterwards as I attempted to “talk” to my husband, he had a good laugh at my expense. In fact, he’s still laughing at my expense, and quite frankly, I’ve laughed at myself more than once after looking in the mirror because I look like a chipmunk. Ben says he’s going to call me, “Scrappy.” After the surgery I went to see my brother (who is my regular dentist, but since he isn’t a dental surgeon he referred me to Dr. Edwards) to tell him how it went (he also chuckled at my “chit-chat”), and then I went to Wal-Mart. That’s when the freezing started to wear off and the pain was kicking in. I wanted to get out of there because I was finding it hard to smile. If you know me, you know I’m a smiler. The thought of being in public and not being able to smile???? That’s unthinkable! Anyways, the pain I felt after the freezing left was AWFUL. On the way home I tried to meditate on scripture to take my mind off the pain. It was so hard. When I finally got home, I leaned over the sink and cried. Since then, I’ve been able to “eat” (soup and my favorite – chocolate frozen yogurt – the coolness is nice) and take some pain meds so I’m feeling more like me. Ben has been GREAT. He fixed me my food, picked up something else I needed from the store, and of course, has held my hand and given me hugs. He loves his little “Scrappy” chipmunk! The hardest part is not being able to talk and smile - which are two of my favorite things. I can try to do those things, but they cause me pain.

I was so glad that I got to see Brent and Amanda before they leave for Africa. I’m so excited for them. I’m also excited about something that I got for my sister for her birthday which is today. Normally I’d just get her a card because things are tight financially, but since I’m working some I decided to get her a little something special. You might find it silly if I told you what it was, but it’s something that I know she will appreciate. Since she’s not so thrilled about turning 31 (she certainly doesn’t look 31 and is a beautiful mom of 2 + 1 on the way), I thought what I got might bring a smile to her face.

Anyways, I have a hard time looking in the mirror as I find my face to be very amusing at the moment. Perhaps some of you find my face amusing all of the time. As for Ben, he just smiles and chuckles at me.

2 nieces & a NEW nephew amongst a week of ups and downs

Last week was one of those up and down kind of weeks. I had something happen that made me feel really down, and then I had something happen that made me feel really excited. The excited portion of my week was when Ben and I found out that we have a new nephew weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 ounces: Alexander Wayne James Canney, whom we’ll be meeting tomorrow for the first time and whom you’ll soon see in pictures on this blog. That means I now have two nieces (Sheridan and Charisma - my cutie pies) along with my new nephew (whom I can hardly wait to get my hands on!). In another month I'll have a fourth child to be an Auntie too as my sister is pregnant!! I love being an aunt. The sad portion of my week is something I’d prefer to not go into, but let’s just say that the Lord is still teaching me and helping me to better understand some things.

This week I’m not sure what to expect – except for knowing that tomorrow I get to see my nephew, and I get to have my wisdom teeth surgically removed. I look forward to meeting my nephew more so than meeting my dental surgean. My brother and his wife Amanda are also leaving for Africa on a missions trip which I’m super excited about. He’s going to do dental work, and Amanda, who is a nurse, will assist the medical team that they are traveling with through World Hope.

One thing is for certain this week, that despite how I’m feeling, or what happens to me, God is in control and He can see the bigger picture.

crazy life

Okay, so I'm in the midst of giving my blog a make-over and trying to get back on the blogging track. It hasn't been easy. Life keeps throwing curve-balls at me. I haven't been able to schedule and write my finals because I've been busy substitute teaching, and when I'm not at work my evenings have been booked too. Another recent event, in which I will not go into detail, has resulted in me having to play the piano more at church which has resulted in something else to consume my thoughts and time. I'm also waiting to hear news of a new niece or nephew being born on the Canney side (Ben's brother Brad and his wife Colleen are now overdue with a blessing soon to make an appearance).

I've discovered that I enjoy being a Phys.Ed teacher. This past week I've substitute taught for kindergarten and first grade Phys.Ed, and another week prior I taught Phys.Ed for the other grades. It's not something I'd most likely want to do everday, but there's something about having a whistle around my neck that makes me feel empowered! The funny thing is, I never really was much of an athlete!

Anyways, sorry for taking so long to get back to the blogging world. I look forward to seeing what everyone else has been doing while I've been in my own little crazy world.

Need I Say More?

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Very popular, one of you is not enough.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

Annual Tradition

This is the 6th year we've made our gingerbread house. We didn't really go "all out" this year, but next year we intend on making one from scratch.

New Year...New Blogging Habits...One Can Only Hope

Well, if you've checked out my blog - Way to be. I know it's been a long time since I last blogged and since I've read and responded to many of your blogs. I'm surprised you haven't give up on me :) It's not that I haven't wanted to blog or respond to blogs, it's just that once again, my crazy academic/youth pastor's wife life has been consuming my time along with my desire to get caught up in the Harry Potter series. So, I'll try to give you an update of what's been happening in my life.

University - The end is in site. I can almost taste it, but I still have some major assignments and studying to do before the month is out. I finished my student teaching and achieved my goal. I won't go into detail about other things that happened which confirmed to me even more that I'm doing what the Lord wants at the present time, but let's just say that I'm humbled that the Lord has given me the ability to work with children in a school setting.

Christmas - It was wonderful. Christmas day was by far one of my most memorible. The snow was falling and provided perfect snowman material. So, my two nieces: Sheridan (age 4) and Charisma (going on 2) went outside with Papa, Grampy, Daddy, Uncle Ben, and Aunt Sarah (the photographer). I'm still trying to figure out how I can turn the picture around so that you can see it on the blog because it is priceless. Let's just say that we're not sure who had more fun - the men, or the girls. It took all four of the men to lift some of the snowballs onto the snowman, and a ladder to finish Mr.Snowman off.

Ministry - Since Ben has come back from his trip to Pittsburg, I've seen a big change in him. He opened up to me about some major areas in his life, and he's been doing some major thinking about what it is that the Lord wants him to do with his life. I can't go into detail, but I can say that I'm amazed at how he is growing in his walk with Christ and in his leadership abilities. We have a lot of praying to do, and I am anxious to see what the Lord has in store for us.

Marriage - Things are WONDERFUL. Let's just say that six years of dating paid off, because we rarely have a disagreement, and when we do, it's solved before we go to sleep at night. Of course, with me being a peace maker it would have to be or else I wouldn't get any sleep! (If you know me, you know that I don't like conflict.) It's amazing how you can know someone for so long, and still find out things you never knew about them everyday. Ben has to be one of the most patient men I know, and I am so blessed to call him my husband, my lover, my friend. We have no children just yet, but someday, Lord willing, I hope that I can have the title of "mom."

Wisdom Teeth - Well, the end is near for those ugly teeth that could cause me problems in the near future. I'm going to have surgery to have them removed which I am not looking forward too. They asked me if I wanted to have laughing gas, but since I was told I would be in "happy land", and I already laugh a lot, I decided that I wanted to be in my right mind when I was opperated on. I've had dental surgery before though, so I know what it's like to be given needle, after needle, after needle...fun times ahead.

Harry Potter - So I'm finally caught up, and wow. My mind has been realing since I finished the most recent book trying to figure out some things. I won't go into detail, because the book was already spoiled for me from reading other blogs who didn't forwarn me of the information. Let's just say I stayed up until 2 AM to finish it believing I wouldn't get a phone call to teach school because it was the first day back and - who's sick on the first day back to school? I received a phone call at 6:30 AM - Four and a half hours later after going to bed - to believe it or not - teach! Serves me right. I hadn't realized how much I missed getting caught up in a good novel because I've been so busy reading university texts, but at last, I can set aside some time to get lost in someone else's life.

Well that sums it up for now. Like I say, this next month I'm going to be under a lot of pressure, but when it's over, I look forward to getting more involved in your lives once again. Please accept my apologies.

Sarah :)