We are Teachers!!!

Okay friends.... I know I've said this before, but I really should be more consistent to posting blog updates, especially when there are pictures involved right away. If I don't they add up and I still feed the need to share so they come together in one massive update, like they are today. So I apologize and will try to do better in the future. Now that I got that off my chest, on to the pictures and the weekend update!

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I'm OFFICIALLY a TEACHER!! This past Friday morning Brandon and I both graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University, with a Bachelor of Education. He really didn't want to go, especially after some very good seats to a hockey game in Montreal were offered to him by a buddy, but due to not being able to get work off, Brandon came to graduation. I was so glad he was there, because we got to sit together!!! I was number 6 to graduate and he was number 5, which was so special. When we graduated from our first degree we were engaged so he was number 29 and I was somewhere in the 300's- so this was a special thing for us! The overall ceremony was pretty good, it ran about 2 hours, and flew by until the last speaker went up, and then it dragged a bit... nothing to do with her speaking, but we were just ready to go! Here are some pictures for a play by play!

Making the walk down to our seats which is a challenge to do in heels, but I didn't fall. I just made it to the seat next to Brandon, I was on the end, so had of one more person come to graduation a head of us we wouldn't have been sitting together! Lucky!!

Brandon getting ready to make his big walk across the stage!

Getting the graduation hat placed above his head, and his degree being conferred upon him. We didn't know this was happening until we were waiting to cross the stage- they didn't do this at SMU.

Although it's not the most clear picture I do love this one because you can see B and me on stage together which is so special for us. He had his degree and I'm about to get mine!

Me with my degree and glowing eyes!

We are TEACHERS!!!

We were thankful for a beautiful day so that pictures could be taken outside- so proud of my hunny!

Cooper came to the festivities and he was not quite sure what auntie was wearing

This is one of my closest friends in the program Jess, we met during the first week and have been friends ever since. We had all our classes together and did many assignments in the same group. She was an awesome person to work with, and we always did well. She is a sweet person and I send her a big CONGRATULATIONS!! She's getting married at the end of June and Brandon and I cannot wait to be there to celebrate with them!

A self portrait of me and Brandon- I think he was thinking about missing the hockey game in this shot!

Me and my proud parents... a big Thanks goes out to them for always showing me the value of an education and hard work. Mom has shown me what a great teacher should be and I hope to follow in her footsteps as an awesome teacher.

Brandon and I together again with our degrees

Brandon and I with my parents... note that the shoes are off... I am not a fan of heels!

Brandon and I with his parents... so glad we found them... it was packed in the lobby but we found them and were so thankful they came and shared in the day with us

Brandon and his proud parents... what a GREAT shot!

Brandon Bing, B.Ed- Congratulations Sweetie I'm so proud of you!

Karen Bing, B.Ed- Yeah Me!!

Another friend of mine in the program, I met Andrea during the first week and we've stayed good friends throughout the program, we worked on an awesome math project with Jess, I'm still quite proud of it. Congratulations!

Me in my clown nose... there is a story to this!

So as a group of elementary teachers we thought it would be fun to have one more act of unity as a group before we part and go our own way. So we decided as a group to each pay for a red clown nose, and then donate the money to a good cause, which we did. We were going to put them on at the very end of graduation, once everyone had their degree and once everyone had spoken, but some of the people running the show didn't think it would be appropriate and didn't think our guest speaker would understand, which was so ridiculous, so at the last minute we had to scrap the idea and not do it. This made me mad because it was our graduation, we should get to do what we want. So I had to get a shot of me in my nose... there was a group picture taken later on but I missed it which also sucked!

Brandon and his friend Andrew... they took a health course this year and became good buddies since 1. they were the only secondary students in the course and 2. they were the only two guys other then the actual prof.

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After graduation, and the photo session, we headed out to Cora's with Brandon's parents for a DELICIOUS brunch, I was starving so it totally hit the spot! We relaxed and snoozed in the afternoon, and then B headed off to work and I went to my aunts house to continue house sitting for her chocolate lab Sophie. I got to go visit Finley and Emmy which was awesome, I got to see their new location, and how much they've grown and changed. They are both looking so much bigger, as of yesterday I think Emmy was sitting at 4 lbs and Finley I think was sitting at 3 lbs. 9 oz. The prayers are working and helping and we are thankful for that! That evening was supposed to be a quite one of TV, blogging and laundry- that did not happen.

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So my peaceful evening was ruined by a furry visitor. I thought that I had seen something move out of the corner of my eye, but didn't see anything, so I kicked the footstool just in case only to see that something scurry back to where it had been hiding. I FREAKED out and called Brandon, who calmed me down, I also called mom for some sympathy too. I continued doing my laundry, thinking maybe I didn't really see anything. I went back to the TV and then the little sucker ran out into the middle of the room. I JUMPED on the sofa started screaming and crying, which scared it back into hiding. I called Brandon, and then my father and made him come and get me. I knew if I stayed at the house I wouldn't sleep all weekend. So from my parents I called my aunt and assured her everything was fine, but that I couldn't sleep at the house. This was the first time she'd ever heard of a mouse in her house. So the remaining house sitting time, was spent with a lot of walking from my parents to her house which is about 10-15 minutes and visits of Sophie to Mom and Dad's place. My legs were killing me after just one day, I'd walked back and forth a total of 6 times on Saturday and worked for 5 hours- can we say ouch. It just got more painful on Sunday and because of that I took the day off from the gym.

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As you are all aware some of my sister's kids are TERRIFIED of Dogs... Jessica and Sarah. So i felt I would use this opportunity to help the girls rid themselves of fear, and by the end of the weekend I would say we had mils success.

-Saturday-

My buddy Jake with Sophie... didn't like her loud barks, but they don't happen much so he wasn't too scared of her at all. So proud of him and glad me walked over with me to get her.

Sarah Grace at the playground

Georgia Marie being her goofy self

Jacob Paul looking as hansome as ever

Jessica Mary trying not to look terrified of the dog attached to my wrist

Me and my girl Sophie, we've been buddies since my aunt got her. In high school I used to go to her house at lunch to let puppy Sophie and her big sister Sasha out in the yard. We miss Sasha a lot!

Sarah Grace facing her fear- so proud!

So jessica spent much of the evening scared and crying, standing on nanny's dining room table but by the end of the night, she was getting better, and with some help we cornered her and made her face her fear. She was trying to squeeze by me so much but I wasn't moving. We got her to pat the dog and we were so proud of her.

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She wanted to tell the world that she patted the dog and even told Nanny that night that she wanted a puppy... that wasn't the case on Sunday when Sophie came back to visit!

-Sunday-

Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day... sunny and warm and perfect. Church was great, I love having the kiddies there. Sonja taught a wonderful lesson in Relief Society and Jake and Sarah walked Sophie with me back to mom and dads. We spent some of the afternoon out in the yard enjoying the sun, and I also got to have a nap which was needed after all my exercise and sleeping on my parents sofa for 2 days

Sophie... such a good dog

Jessica reverting back to her fears from yesterday and hiding behind the bushes... Sophie was on her leash at this time and there was no way she'd get near her- what a goof!

Jacob color co-ordinating with his bike... he had a bad fall at the play ground last night, but wasn't letting that scare him... he hopped right back on his bike!

Auntie Laura and the girls getting some sun

Thought this shot of Laura's ring turned out super cool

Jessica facing her fears again... way to go!

Someone had a new best friend... there were lots of hugs for Sophie

Jacob showing off Sophie's skills and giving her a treat. The kids loved making her shake a paw. That is what we'd say to her to get her to work it, Georgia kept saying to Soph, "Shake my paw Sophie, Shake my paw" What a cutie!!

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Last night Laura drove me home and came in for a bit to hangout. It was great getting to vent, chat and laugh with her. She's grown up to be a pretty awesome person and I feel lucky to have her as my little sister. We've come a long way and I'm glad we've become such good friends. We still have our moments but that is what sisters do! Thanks for helping me clean the kitchen this weekend... such bonding time!

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Today I work for four hours, which I'm kinda bummed about since Brandon is over at his parents house enjoying the beautiful day, doing some yard work and I believe having lobster and corn on the cob... yum to the corn. So I'm bummed to be hanging out at home on an amazing day but I know there will be others. I love working at Chapters, so I don't mind being there tonight... so many good books and great gifts there, it's hard not to shop every shift I'm there but I'm trying to behave myself!!

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As for the teaching situation... Brandon and I are currently getting our paper work organized so that we can start subbing, but we've heard it can take 4-6 weeks to have it processed, so that means no subbing for us until September... we are hoping that it comes back sooner then that because we want to get out there and sub. There are not a lot of job openings right now, so we probably will have to sub for awhile, but I am optimistic that with some hard work we'll get our foot in the door somewhere and get permanent jobs! Wish us luck!

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Hope you all made it through this massive post, and that you'll leave a comment, I sure do love hearing from everyone!! Have a great Monday off and I look forward to everyone's future updates... post pictures!!