We've taken on a lot, and somehow managed to stay in tact. Living life now as a family of 4!

you know that saying, right? About how many words a picture equals? Well, I've been seriously remiss about this whole blogging thing. Good thing I've taken lots of pictures regardless. So here you go...Life in January, February, and March. Or a snippet of it, anyway. Enjoy! First, some perspective: Remember the snow people Jake built in November? In January they looked like this: Today (March 18th) they look like this: I had this vague idea that I should take a picture of them every week over the winter and string them all together. I didn't, kind of wish I did. Oh well, some is better than none. Side story: When I first moved to Winnipeg my dad would always ask how much snow we had in winter. In Calgary that question makes sense - you could have zero snow one day and 2 feet the next, and then it'd be gone a week later. Not so here. Here is it just piles up. And up.  Next up: we have a new niece! She is our favourite Winnipeg niece. We a...

Warning: this might be a little mushy, but I am so proud! Jake and I met when I came to his school for a term job. I arrived to start my new job scared of what I would find, and worried about being in a new school. It didn't take long for me to feel at ease. The staff were very caring and friendly and welcoming. Before long I realized that most of the feeling of community at this school was directly due to Jake's influence. He seemed to be the one constantly encouraging staff and students, joshing with them, joking around, providing opportunities to play and laugh together. Don't get me wrong, there are many excellent staff at this school - people who routinely volunteer their time to coach, encourage, cheer on and otherwise support their extremely needy student-base (the demographics at his school are similar to mine). Jake is not alone in his efforts, but he is a major driving force. He has a way of getting people involved in things that is pretty amazing to witness. ...