I am thinking about giving up on blogging...Still love to go and stalk other blogs. But I have been getting so busy with my work, and fustrated with those I work with. I have met some amazing people, and heard many inspiring faith filled stories. So until we meet again. Goodbye.

Signs your child is a bully or can be one.

Wondering what the recipe is for creating a bully? Well, I have some good news. We are beginning to have some answers thanks to a new study by Douglas Gentile and Brad Bushman published in the July issue of the Psychology of Popular Media Culture. This study identified six risk factors that, when co-existing in the same individual, are good predictors of that individual's risk of becoming a bully and of, at some point, engaging in aggressive behavior. When all six factors are present, risk of aggression increases significantly. One or two risk factors are not enough to create a bully, but when you get to three and past four risk factors the risk increases significantly. By six risk factors, as stated above, it is fairly likely that the individual will engage in aggressive behavior. The study by Gentile and Bushman looked at 430 children ages 7-11 in grades 3-5 from 5 Minnesota schools. For this study, children and their teachers were surveyed twice in a year- usually six months apart. Physical aggression was measured using self-reports, peer nominations, and teacher reports of actual violence. Related: Signs that Your Child is Being Bullied Here are the combination of risk factors that predicted future aggression and bullying behavior: 1. A tendency toward hostility 2. low parental involvement 3. gender with boys being more likely to be physically aggressive 4. a history of physical victimization 5. a history of prior physical fights *and 6. media violence exposure. It's important to keep that media violence exposure alone is not enough to predict aggressive acts. It is only one piece of the puzzle. So, before you restrict your kids from all forms of media keep this study in mind. This study may help us identify kids who are at risk for aggression and allow us to help them before they become entrenched in this sort of behavior. This is invaluable information for parents and educators. I would like to see this study repeated with kids of all ages as we wrestle with this troubling issue.

A new calling

Yesterday morning I was at home getting ready for church when I received a call from the Bishops secretary. The second councilor wants to meet with you at 12:15 today. Are you available? Of course, now for those who aren't LDS, it can only mean a couple things. You've done something wrong,you are going to be giving a talk in church or your getting a new calling. Well I had only just been called late last year into Cubs; and I hadn't done anything wrong...so maybe I am being asked to give a talk. Well I went into the Bishops office, said our hello's,I gave a prayer and was asked how things were in cubs...great...learning new things and to love the boys I teach. Well we are extending a new calling...your name has been mentioned for Second Councilor in Primary. I am not someone to say no...what you need to realise is that this is the Lord's calling. And unless I really felt I couldn't do it justice...I had no right to refuse. So next Sunday I will be set apart to work with the little ones in our church.

Spring is on its way

In 2 weeks I'll be ----hum hum. And I am going on a road trip to see my kids out in Lethbridge. I will on the way out stop in Regina for our wards temple trip. While out in Lethbridge I am meeting up with a dear friend to go and spend sometime in Cardston at the Temple there.
I have to say its been decades since I was last in Cardston and am looking forward to going.

Life goes on...

Its hard to believe that I have been home from my first real vacation for about 3 weeks now. It was wonderful. The flight to Las Vegas was uneventful. We arrived and returned in one piece. I had the opportunity to share the LDS temple with my mother and sister. We went there on Sunday and did a brief walk around, smelling the flowers and admiring the tranquility of this majestic building. Behind the temple is a chapel. And when you stand on the grounds you can look out and see downtown Las Vegas.
On Tuesday I had the chance to go to the temple for the morning. Peacefulness surrounded me during my stay. There are sessions every 1/2 hour, and you don't need to book, just show up. I added a dear friend's name to the Temple role. Later that night I found out he had passed. Although saddened by this news. Bobby Joe was expecting it and we had made arrangements to meet up their.
I went back again on Thursday, I cried for him actually sobbed. But realised it was for the best. He is at peace and one day will be joined by others.
Its been awhile since I have been in cubs. We are getting ready for the kub car rally. The great thing is to see the boys so excited. Planning and decorating their cars. Next year it will be Lanes turn. I'll be prepared.

welcome to 2012

January came in like the purr of a kitten. The weather is unseasonably warm right now with not much snow. We took the opportunity today to go tobogganing at Assiniboine Park. And as you can see Lane had a great time. We tried out the bigger hill, and Lane wasn't to excited to try it again. So we stayed on the smaller hills, but had fun anyway.

This free picture collage customized with Smilebox

I love this time of year more then birthdays, Canada Day or any other holiday. It the time of the year for me to sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and review my year. Kind of like what Robin does on GMA.
This year has been a great year. I finally received a promotion at work. More hours, more pay but most important I can now take vacation. Las Vegas here I come- in January.
We finished our house, or should I say garage and backyard. My grandson started grade 1 and loves school. My daughter has a career at a doctors office. And my husband tried to quit smoking; wasn't successful, but there is always next time.
I was released from Relief Sociey and am now a cub leader.
I have had the opportunity to attend the temple several times this year. And biggest of all. At April General Conference it was announced we here in Winnipeg, Manitba Canada would be getting our own Temple....Whoot Whoot.

One month, but who's counting?

November 25 and one month until Christmas. What do you need to do to get ready? I have already bought some pressies, now I need to wrap, which quite frankly I hate to do.
Next week we have the yearly Christmas Nativity at the Forks. Again I am designing the set. Or in reality setting it up. I have a busy day that day, I have to come into work for about 2-3 hours, head over to the Forks to set up and then go and chair an AGM. Lane comes out that weekend to. So I expect like last year we'll go for supper at Spaggetti Factory and then watch the Nativity before heading home.
Thats life folks.

Yesterday I was released from Relief Society and given a new calling. Can you guess what it is?

This is totally new to me, I don't know anything about the scouting program. Thank goodness my companion will be a seasoned vet, Laura.

The only thing I can tell you about the Scouting program is the Pinewood Derby, where the boys make go carts for racing.

Although I will miss RS I am looking forward to an new adventure.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We woke up early Saturday morning and cleaned the house and prepared to go to the White shell and spend Saturday and Sunday with my middle sister and her family. Peter was on call so he stayed home. However, on the upside I got a new dishwasher and above the stove microwave.

We took a little site seeing trip to a swinging bridge. This is where this photo of Lane was taken and the one with me and my 2 sisters.

Of course we stuffed our faces Sunday night with turkey, stuffing and lots of good veggies.

Fall 2011 General Conference

"Now, brothers and sisters, we are anxious to listen to the messages which will be presented to us today and tomorrow. Those who will address us have sought heaven’s help and direction as they have prepared their messages. That we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord and be uplifted and inspired as we listen and learn is my prayer."-President Thomas S. Monson.

I just love going to conference. Or should I say I love going to the Stake Centre to listen, and watch conference. It's so wonderful to feel of everyones' spirit when we gather. Since conference can now be seen so easily at home on your computer---which I will admit I do on Saturday's.

Last Saturday evening Shannon and I rushed to Winnipeg to attend Women's conference in the evening. We didn't go during the day.... got to clean that dang house sometime....lol What I loved and keep on hearing about in other blogs is Pres. Uchtdorf's talk.....to view it go to www.lds.org and watch...Beautiful, wonderful, inspired.....

Have a nice weekend.

First day of school

This little boy started school last week. He was so excited to be going to grade 1 this year, and having the same teacher he did in kindergarten. Lane loves to learn, he loves his friends and he loves school.

This little man is so sure of himself. He has confidence exuding from ever fiber of his being. To see the things he has accomplished since he started school makes me appreciate our teachers. The years they spend in school receiving an education so that they can do something that they love. You can't say thanks enough.

Good job little man, your on your way.

Temple Trip

I just love going to the Temple. Unfortunally I don't get there as often as I should. Bad me! However this last weekend I had the chance to go with the ward. It was awesome seeing so many faces from Manitoba there. I commented to our Stake Pres that soon we wouldn't have to travel so far and that those who are currently serving in the Temple in Regina would be serving in our Temple in Winnipeg.
What was also so exciting was having parents bring the primary children from our ward to meet with the the Temple Pres and Matron and talk to the kids about the importance of the Temple. They were so cute, sitting on the benches listening and answering questions.

SLC here we/he comes.

It has always been a dream of mine from the time I was first baptised to go to Salt Lake City. To see Temple Square, visit the visitors centre. And go to the House of the Lord. And who gets to go, my hubby......dang!
I've told him to make sure to stop off and take lots of pictures. Good thing he takes some great photos which hopefully I can use to put on the wall.
This summer has been extremly busy and is about to get worse.
My boss is taking a vacation and I get to step in for her for 3 weeks, can you say yah to more pay? boo more work....
Second the RS president is going on vacation too and the first councilor will be away during the same time frame. Can you say yikes! It seems anytime the RS president leaves someone passes away. Please say lots of prayers that doesn't happen. It will keep me on my toes and maybe some late nights too.

Summer time fun!!!

July has arrived.  How wonderful, the start of what I hope will be a warm, dry summer. The plans are to go to St.Malo and spend time in the lake sunning myself on the beach.  Trips to the Niverville Coop for ice cream and bike rides.  But most important spending time with these people whom I love....Lane and Shannon.

Olde Time Country Fair 2011

This weekend was the fair.  We had a riot..... however you wouldn't catch me on a ride.  Shannon, Lane, my niece Brandy and my little sister.  Enjoyed the rides. I watched from a safe distance.  Our group left the house Friday evening and toured around looking at rides and picking which ones we'd like to partake in. 
Lane at first wouldn't go on the high rides, instead he settled on bumper cars and the tilt a hurl as his mom called it.  He loved it, all the noise and excitement.  It was great seeing folks I hadn't seen in awhile. 
Saturday we went back and Lane and I saw action......which he screamed and clapped loudly for. We were outside from 12 until 10:30 at night.  Needless to say we had a good sleep in and some of us didn't get to church....

I can feel it in the air....

Summer, its around the corner I can feel it, I can see it.  Warmer days and warm evenings make for the thoughts of gardening; getting out and planting or the planning of planting.  This year we are building a retaining wall of sorts in the backyard.  We have a huge flower bed that was orginal to the house with lovely plants of all sizes.  Of course the dogs love it and run through trampling it down.  And in the heat of the day they find a lovely spot to sit. 

Peter has been busy designing a raised bed with stones.  This weekend would be a great time to get out there and start digging.  The bricks arrive this Thursday, so something has to happen.  How exciting. This is an idea of what it should look like when done.  Doesn't it look beautiful.  Forget the house though, it doesn't quite look like mine.

Sigh......

Lots of tears shed, prayers said, fasting and more tears.  As parents we will do anything for our children.  Its to bad some people don't take the role of parenthood seriously, those ones should be hit over the head with a brick. We have been given a great responsibility to lead, guide and direct our children in rightousness.  Its our role and shouldn't be given away, because we're not ready.  Sex is a powerful tool.  
More tears.prayers and fasting. 

What a Temple means to me.

Sometimes there are words you want to hear and don't expect to, but when you do; its a big high five and attta boy.... Well Winnipeg heard those words this weekend at General Conference.  We are getting a Temple in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Although I wasn't at that conference, nor was I watching it on the computer, minutes after it was announced my dear friend and VTing companion since I moved to the Dalhousie Ward phoned me.  I also had a chance to speak to several people at conference on Sunday, who were at conference on Saturday morning.  The air was charged, and a couple hoots and hollars were let out.  So exciting.
Of course the big question remains, where will it be built, and what will the size be.  For me the question is: how will those who are not of our faith see this beautiful edifice to the one Most Holy?  My hope is that they want to know more, know why we value our church and what the Temple means to use.  And then of course missionary work; it really needs to be done.  Our Heavenly Father has done his  part now its time to step up to the plate and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

New Year 2011

Ahhh, Christmas is over; tree needs to be put away and then life begins again.  My sweet husband did some work down in the basement prior to the family gatherings.  Nothing spurs him on then having people over and the basement looking developed. 
We were talking last night about the things we could like to accomplish this year.  And decided rather then sprucing up the house, which for us is costly cause there are still things to be finished outside. We would work on paying down some debt.  However, in Sept Peter and the boys are taking a road trip to Minnesota to go to Hey Day's and buy us a snowmobile.  He'll save his overtime and use that, my BIL said the cost is a couple thousand cheaper then here in Canada. 
Lane, will be starting skating lesson, on Wednesday.  He has never skated before but should enjoy it.  This little boy will also be celebrating his 6th birthday.  My how time flys.
Shannon finished school and is working at a doctors office near her home.  She enjoys it, but the pay isn't the best. 
Happy 2011 to all my friends and continued success.