Sparkling lights, hot chocolate by a cozy fire, feelings of peace and calm, all is merry and bright. Those were the sentiments I wanted to be writing about, as I frantically tried to get a post-Christmas blog entry done. The flu happened instead, causing changed and cancelled plans, disinfectants and laundry, missed visits and tired [...]
Another Christmas has come and gone. The Christmas tree has deposited most of its needles on my living room floor, the advent calendar is complete, gifts have been given, and the now stale gingerbread houses are ready to be thrown out. Along with the gingerbread and dead tree, it's time to throw out my list [...]
I never got to light an Advent candle when I was a child. The idea terrified me. I imagined myself in front of all those solemn people who were expectant, not only for the coming of our Lord, but for the timely lighting of the candles. I saw myself desperately trying to get the lighter [...]
I think I forgot what it was like to be a high school student. I figured the only way to really know was to become one. So I did. Today I was a student at ACS Secondary. Just for a day. (Read Part One and Part Two) PART THREE: Passing the Test Lunch was over, and [...]
My wife surprised me with a trip to a spa for my birthday. I have never been to a spa before (and I probably won’t ever go again). It was a very relaxing time, which is something I struggle with. My wife, Sharon, noted on several occasions throughout our time there, that I have a [...]
Sometimes a career as a middle school teacher seems more like a career as a cat herder. Middle school kids have a lot of energy. There are times when we just have to break out of our classrooms, giving our kids space to apply at least some of their enthusiasm to projects outside of our [...]
I was only able to see 3 1/2 of our Senior Boys Volleyball matches at the Single A Provincial Championships, though arguably the most important ones: the opener, the last round robin, the semi-final, and the final. Three events stood out for me: The lesson: In the match against Fernie, one of their players spiked [...]
The Grade one classes spend the month of December focusing on the different Christmas traditions each family celebrates. Over the years, I have witnessed many of these mini-celebrations with numerous ACES families. A question that has often come up is, “What about you? How do you celebrate Christmas?” So here are three of our best [...]
Life is full of surprises. I never had a concrete plan for what I thought my future would look like but I can tell you I didn't imagine what my reality is. Getting married and teaching for a couple of years wasn't so farfetched. That I enjoyed teaching as much as I did was a [...]
Heidi and I decided to get married in a vineyard—an active winery that makes quality wine. The sermon of the wedding ceremony included some messaging around Jesus’ very first miracle of turning water into wine and we participated in our very first communion together as a married couple—in front of a whole "host of witnesses." [...]
