If you are looking for a fun read to break up the drudgery of winter, pick this up at your local library.  I stumbled across it last week and it has kept us smiling ever since.  Filled with the multitude of "awesome" things in life (such as hitting a bunch of green lights in a row, fixing electronics by smacking them, the five second rule, and when you push the elevator and it's already there) it may just encourage you to recognize the "awesome" things in your own life (such as making exactly the right amount of pancake batter).

You'll be amazed how many of these things you have thought were awesome in your own life.  And the author throws in quite a bit of humor in his writing too, so it never gets too sappy.

So, if you're having one of those days (or weeks, months, years...) where nothing ever seems to go right, pick it up and remind yourself of all the little things that are "awesome".

I'm Ba-ack!

Remember that line?  From the scariest movie I ever saw as a child.  Nightmares for weeks.  Poltergeist....



Anyhoo...

Here I am, alive and kickin' in High Prairie.  My communications have been down, but we have finally got the net installed and I plan on blogging up a storm to bring everything up to date.  Of course, right now I'm competing for computer time with 5 other internet deprived people, so I'll do what I can.  Amazing how much this really is a part of our lives, especially living far away.

So here's a shout out to all of my patient friends and family.  Miss you all, but life is good in the great white north!

Enjoy the Journey

This morning I made an observation.  While I carefully made my way from the van to the door trying hard to step in spots with the least amount of snow, my 4 year old was joyfully jumping from one snow drift to another and laughing the whole time.  I realized he was living truly in the moment.  It made me think of this quote from President Hinckley:

"Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride..."

Take time to enjoy the ride today.  Jump in the snow.  Dance in the rain.  Breathe in the fresh air.  And thank the Lord for letting you have it!

"God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform."

- William Cowper, Hymns #285



This line has been on my mind.  It's true in so many different ways in all of our lives.  So much to be grateful for today.  Things always just work out for the best!

Til we meet again...

I now understand how parting can be such "sweet sorrow". 

My Grandpa passed away this morning after a long, painful battle with cancer. 

I feel glad for his relief, but terribly sad too.

  I will miss him.

He played a big role in my life. 

Goodbye Grandpa.  Til we meet again.

A New Beginning

In case you haven't heard yet, and you probably haven't since Dan is so darn private, we just wanted you t know...

WE GOT A JOB! 

YIPPEE!

This is when you all stand up and dance and cheer.  I can feel it right now!  Thanks for all the support we have had over the past 5 years to get to this point.  But I suppose you are all wondering,

Where in the world will the Coopers move next?

Lest I spoil all the fun too quickly, let's just explore some of the good things about this new community:

1. It's a small town

2. It has an aquatic center (very high on the list for the kids)

3. We may at one point even be able to afford a house here

4. It has forests and prairies and even lakes for fishing - just our kinda place

5. We have been told it has great schools

6. There is a branch with a building right in town.  No long commute to church, very good with kids getting to the ages where they have to be there multiple times every week.

And the good things about Dan's position include:

1. He will be full time permanent.  That means you may not have to play this game again for a while!

2. He will be titled Recreation Therapist II.  This is the highest designation in Alberta Health Services, which means a higher pay scale and it looks good on resumes.

3. He will really learn a whole lot quickly because he will work solo with an assistant.

4. We never thought we would get a job like this right out of school.  It was just a whim that we applied, sort of for fun, "just in case...".  To be offered this chance is slightly unreal, and so totally cool for him.

So now the reveal (drum roll please)

Our new home town will be...

High Prairie, Alberta

Here are a couple of links in case you want to check out where that is.  It's essentially 3.5 hour northwest of Edmonton.  It is 20 minutes from Lesser Slave Lake - the largest lake contained completely within Alberta's boundaries and boasting white sand beaches to enjoy in the summer.  From the shores to the snow, but we're so excited.  And so blessed!

View Larger Map

http://www.highprairie.ca/   Town Website

Break the Cycle...

Everyone should have to live with their parents again once they have kids.  Not for a long time, just a little.  So you can see what parenting things you always hated growing up which you now do to your own children...

Case in point.  I hated school mornings growing up.  It was stressful, busy, and full of little power struggles and blow outs, especially with my dad.  The most famous of these would be the daily arguement over showering - was it necessary everyday?  did they have to be longer than 5 minutes?  This was inevitably folllowed by: Hurry, the bus is here!  You don't have time for _________! (Fill in the blank with whatever we were in the process of doing as the bus pulled into the yard).

You get the picture.

Fast forward 18 years or so.  Me and my own kids now getting ready to get out the door and catch the bus.  Kids being kids and taking their sweet time in the early morning.  Me nagging and pushing, my voice getting a little higher and louder each time. 

"No, you don't have time to eat anymore, we have to go!"

"Get your shoes on - RIGHT NOW!"

"I'm going to the van and if you're not there with me you're in trouble!"

Sound familiar?

Only my kids get the added pleasure of having my dad right there along with me.  Now Dad, don't get me wrong, I appreciate you jumping in and helping out.  It's too hard to do it alone.  But I'm pretty sure stereo sound nagging is not increasing their desire to move faster.  And I'm guilty too.

Gotta find a new way to motivate the morning routine.  Especially on Friday.  I'd like to say I should cut them a bit more slack, but the bus leaves the same time each day, no matter if they make it or not.  And since I'm not driving them into town every day, the natural consequence thing loses its zing.

Back to seeing your parents in yourself.  It's not a bad thing.  It's a good motivation.  And even though I like some of the things I see, there are things I did not like growing up and this experience is definitely helping me remember them and commit to breaking the cycle.  Now I just have to decide which things are worth the battle...