Putting Things in Focus

A couple of weeks ago Ashton lost his glasses.  At first I was pretty upset about it, but he has had them since kindergarten and had done a really good job taking care of them.  Plus, because we got them in kindergarten they were free.  So after taking a few days to look for them, we decided the frames were probably a bit small for him anyway so we headed to the eye doctor.  I insisted on his eyes being checked (not just using his old prescription), and I was glad I had since his eyes had changed.

Then to pick new frames.  The store we were at offers 2 for 1 and gave us the option of tinting one pair for an additional cost.  That made more sense to me than for Ashton to have 2 pairs of regular glasses.

The new glasses came in today!


Looking so grown up and handsome!



He's loving having sunglasses.

Ashton really loves his new glasses and I know he will take really good care of them.  I think he's pretty happy being able to see again too!

I Love To See the Temple

Our family had a special experience this evening.  We had the priviledge of touring the newly built Calgary Temple.  They had tours for all construction workers and their families and since Jason has been on the crew doing the architectural painting he was included.  We were allowed to go from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.  Unfortunately I teach piano from 4 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays so we weren't sure how we were going to swing it.  Jason found out that they were having additional tours from 6 - 9 p.m. for residents of Royal Oak.  He asked if it would be possible for us to attend then and we were granted permission.  So I moved my last two students and we headed to the temple at 7:30 p.m.

The boys were so excited to see what their dad has been doing in the temple.  We watched the 13 minute video and then they took us over to the temple.  They have tents set up from the chapel to the temple - which was so nice since it was raining tonight.  Then they take you to the south door of the temple and there was a bit of a walk without tents so we were each given a white umbrella (seriously they have thought of everything).  Then before you enter the temple doors some lovely people place white booties on your feet.

The temple is just beautiful!  Each room with such beautiful lighting, furniture, carpets and details.  When we stepped into the font room I glanced up at the ceiling above the font and took in the beautiful details that Jason helped add to the temple and was overwhelmed with so many feelings.  Feelings of love for my husband, pride, gratitude, love for my Heavenly Father and Savior for all that our family has been blessed with.  I was so emotional and couldn't stop the tears from coming.  I am so grateful that my husband has been able to have this wonderful experience.  It has meant so much to him and will forever mean so much to our entire family. 

In one room is a huge nature mural.  It was painted by the artist Del Parsons.  See if you can spot an owl, two butterflies, two birds and a bee.

The stained glass throughout is gorgeous.  I loved the tables and the sculpted carpets.  Jason pointed out to me in the celestial room that the carpet sculptor had mimicked the bearded wheat that had been added to the detail that was painted on the ceiling.  Be sure to take a look, if you can see past the most beautiful chandelier.

Bowen told me his favorite part was the mirrors in the sealing room that make you look like you go on and on forever - like eternity.  Ashton's favorite was the celestial room.  We can't wait to go again.

If you haven't booked your tour yet be sure to do it right away - you don't want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.  Tours can be booked at www.calgarymormontemple.org  or call 1-855-537-2000.  Or call me and I'd love to arrange a tour and go with you.

As Bowen and I were waiting for Jason and Ashton who had run into the Tim Hortons we were singing his favorite primary song - "I Love To See the Temple".  A perfect way to wrap up our evening.  I hope my boys always feel this way.

Family Reunion

Saturday we had a family reunion for the descendants of Fred and Hannah Puzey.  They had three daughters and one son.  Aunt Sheila, Aunt DaVeeda, and Aunt Sandy and of course my dad.  I sure missed having dad with us but it was great to see so many I hadn't seen for awhile and to get reacquainted.  Mom and all my siblings and their kids were able to come.  We met at Edworthy Park and it was just a beautiful day. 

Some friends from England stopped by for a visit.  My dad had met Allister and Sylvia when he served his mission for our church in England.  They have kept in touch for all these years and have become such special friends.  They have been in Calgary visiting their son Nigel and his family and are heading back to England in a few days.  I was so excited to see them again.

Aunt Sheila had a treat for all the kids.  Jonas was so thrilled with his!

Mom with all her grandkids!

How grateful I am for family.  We had a wonderful time visiting and catching up and the kids had a great time playing with their cousins and getting to know some of my cousin's kids as well.  Dad would have been pleased to see his family all together.  We missed the few that were not able to make it out but hope to see them next time.

Rachel enjoying her cookies and Jared on the phone!

I Love My Family!

Shattering Standards & Pans

Does anyone else feel like their kids are always off school?  For some reason there was no school yesterday.  I don't have students on Fridays and Jason was home early so we decided to take the boys to a matinee.  The Amazing Spiderman was playing at the cheap theatre so we headed out.  Jason had seen it before and felt it would be appropriate for our boys even though it is rated PG.

We're sitting in the theatre, enjoying our popcorn, and the previews start.  The first one was for Total Recall - kind of violent I thought considering what we had come to see.  Then a preview for The Avengers - that made more sense, the boys have already seen that movie.  Then the final preview for ...  wait for it ... Magic Mike!  Really!!!  My 8 and 6 year old are watching a preview for a movie about male strippers.  Good grief!  I thought that movie was rated R.  Do the theatres even consider the audience for the movie they are currently playing?

Anyways the boys enjoyed the movie and it was mostly appropriate for them.  I think I heard one swear word and Bowen got a little scared in one scene.  But they both said they liked it.


My dad's side of the family is having a reunion on Saturday (it is going to feel so strange him not being there) and I needed to make chicken salad for it.  So I thought I'd cook up the chicken before I headed to bed so I'd only have to make it up in the morning.  I put the chicken in my glass pyrex 9 x 13 pan and into the oven.  About 20 minutes later Jason was in the kitchen and heard this huge explosion from the oven.  He nervously looked in and discovered this ...

I can't tell you how grateful I am I wasn't cooking a lasagna.  Time to go shopping for a new pan!

John Toone's Cello

A few weeks ago when I blogged about my birthday month I forgot to mention one my favorite gifts I received this year.  While in Utah earlier this summer my cousin Sheri discovered an artist - Julie Rogers -  who had painted a portrait of our Great Great Great Grandfather John Toone with his cello.  The story is that he had brought his cello across the plains when he settled in Salt Lake City.  One of his descendants in Utah now has the cello and had organized a recital.  In honour of the recital they had a portrait commissioned.

I am just thrilled to have a copy of this portrait in my home.  It looks wonderful in my music room.

I'm grateful for my ancestors and for the music they have passed down to my life that brings me so much joy.  It was my grandmother Hannah Toone Puzey (John Toone's Great Granddaughter) who first taught me to play the piano and to whom I credit much of my love of music.  For more information on John Toone and his cello visit the following blog - www.johntoonecello.blogspot.com

Thanks Sheri for this piece of my past.

Music Store Now Open

Music lessons are now in full swing after our summer break.  At the end of June I sent home summer practice charts.  For every five minutes of practice they are to colour in one square, and then upon their return every fifteen minutes is worth 1 penny to spend at my music store.

Lots of my students participate and really enjoy picking out their purchases.  I love it as it keeps my students thinking about playing during their summer break.

I'm pleased with my schedule this year.  I have 24 students, plus my two boys.  I teach Monday - Thursday and I was able to have at least a 1/2 hour break each day for supper time.  With the boys in school full time this year I'm hoping I'll be able to get things done during the day so that I don't feel quite so overwhelmed with my schedule.

Happy shopping to my students this week!

Harvest Time

It was harvest time at the Atwood's this weekend.  Jason was called into the temple to work on Saturday so the boys and I decided to tackle the crabapple tree and start picking apples. 

Both the boys were a big help.  Bowen picked about 3/4 quarters full of a icecream bucket using a step stool.

He couldn't quite reach this branch though ...

Ashton revamped his dad's crabapple picking contraption and he was able to get about 1/2 a bucket full off some higher branches.

I went as high as I dared and then Jason helped pick some more off the higher branches when he got home from work.

Now to start juicing and making jelly!



Friday Weigh In

As promised I weighed in this morning but unfortunately I don't have alot to report.  I lost ...

.5 lbs



I've been horrible about tracking my food.  I know that is why I'm not having alot of success.  Plus, of course, the exercise.  I'm finding it a bit easier to work out since the boys are in school full time.  I am amazed however how quickly those hours go by.  It is 3:00 p.m. before I know it. 

So my goals for the next 4 weeks are as follows:  (same as usual - I know what will work, just need to DO it!)

Track food

Workout 4 - 5 times a week

Drink more water (my intake was awful this week)

I will continue to weigh in every Friday and I will report my progress on the 2nd Friday of October.  Till then - wish me luck.  I hope to have great successes to report.

Food Bank Drive & Open House

The past weekend was the City Wide Food Drive that our church participates in.  During the week we dropped off the bags to the homes we had been assigned.  We had a beautiful day to do it and I think the boys enjoyed being out with their dad.

Then the best part - Saturday morning we headed up to pick up the donations.  We didn't get as much as last year but it filled the back of the truck.  We always enjoy participating in this service project.  I feel it is so important for the boys to do something for others.

Also, if you are curious what Jason has been doing in the Calgary Temple I invite you to tour the Calgary Alberta Temple.  Open house dates are Saturday, September 29th through Saturday, October 20th, 2012.  You can start making reservations beginning today, September 10th at 10:00 a.m.

Visit calgarymormontemple.org     or call    1-855-537-2000   to schedule your visit.

If you'd like me to come with you, I'd love to do that too!

Friday Weigh In

I forgot to weigh this morning.  Jason was home, I was getting the boys off to school and Dane was being dropped off for us to watch.  It just slipped my mind.  I didn't have a horrible week.  I was a bit more careful with what I ate and I did work out two times. 

To avoid boring my "vast" readership and to not drive myself crazy I have decided to blog my weight loss once a month.  Since I missed today I will assign the 2nd Friday of each month as my official weight loss blog day.  I still plan on weighing myself weekly so that I can keep on top of it.  I'll see you all back here next Friday - I'm hoping with great weightloss news!

It Makes My Cheeks Too Chubby!

The other morning as I was taking pictures of my boys on their first day of school, I kept trying to get Bowen to smile.  He finally accommodated and smiled a little. 

As we were walking to the truck to head to the bus stop, Bowen says to me "I can't smile too big or it makes my cheeks too chubby!"  By the way we've never said anything of the such to him - he's come to this conclusion all on his own.  Love those cheeks!!



Home Alone

Can't believe the boys are back to school already.  The summer went so fast!  Today is bittersweet for me.  With Ashton in Grade 3 and Bowen in Grade 1 they are both in school all day.  How did this happen?  I haven't quite wrapped my head around it.  I'm not quite ready to not have preschoolers at home.  I know it certainly wasn't our plan to only have 2 kids, but I know I need to trust what Heavenly Father's plan is for our family.  Wow - that got kinda heavy didn't it!!  But I really am excited for them to grow up.  Each stage is so fun.  I love watching the sweet young men they are becoming.  Both boys were nervous this morning, but excited too I think.

The boys took the bus, and then I met them at the school to help them find their teachers.

We found Ashton's teacher first and I felt bad I had to leave him, but I needed to go and find Bowen's teacher.  Ashton said he was fine but I could tell he was nervous.

Bowen and I then went and found his class.  While we were waiting to go into the school I glanced over at Ashton to see how he was doing.  I was relieved to see that he seemed happy and was having fun talking to some of the boys in his class.

When it was time to go into the school I followed Bowen to his class.  He knew the drill - he hung up his backpack and jacket and put on his indoor shoes.

Then it was time for me to go.  I hope they have a great day!

Mini-Break

Jason surprised me with a little mini-break this weekend.  Keeping it a surprise he asked my mom to come up and babysit the boys while he took me out for dinner.  She came about 4:30 p.m. and he whisked me away.  We went to the Olive Garden - the wait was over an hour but totally worth it.  I love the salad, breadsticks and raspberry lemonade.  I ordered a lobster canneloni that was delicious!  We had a really nice time - even the wait for an hour was relaxing.  We sat, talked and enjoyed each others company.

Then it was time to head home.  We stopped at Sobeys for a treat and then Jason drove the opposite direction of home.  I was a little confused until he drove into the parking lot of a hotel.  He had booked us a room with a jacuzzi hot tub for the night.  Such a nice surprise.  I love my boys to pieces but after an entire summer with just the three of us most of the time (I have a new appreciation for single moms) I was in need of some rest and relaxation.

Thanks so much to my mom for being willing to come up and babysit our boys.  They even got a special treat and went out to dinner with grandma.  My hubby spoils me and I am so grateful for him.  I love that husband of mine!

Quality Time

Think maybe my boys have been missing their dad?

We had so much we should have done today - but priorities change and we spent a lot of today doing this!

Then we had a trip to the hobby store and Bowen bought a hot wheels car and Ashton bought a starter snap together model of a Jedi Starfighter.  Coming home we stopped at ABC for dinner, Ashton had his model put together before his dinner came.

It was a good day!!