ATTENTION: Blogging update with lots of PICTURES!!

Okay So I have a few pictures on this post. This last week was a fun one with the kids. Brandon and I had promised the kids that they would get a sleepover at our new apartment. We had mentioned that forever ago and needless to say they did not forget...hahha not that I was hoping they would...but they were quite persist ant in mentioning it to their mom. So since Kathy and Jeff's anniversary was last week we took the kids monday night. I wanted to try to make it a fun and special night and I think they had a GREAT time. I hope they did. They picked me up from work since I was over at Micmac doing visual and we headed back to the apartment where we had a fancy dinner with candles and everything...I think the plastic cups and plates makes it the fanciest meal EVER! We had a blast trying to take this picture because uncle Brandon was not home yet so we had to take this one ourselves...We have a few where I wasn't quite quick enough to make the picture...hahaa. We watched Flushed Away and the Smurfs...I know smurfs...you guys are all jealous it was AMAZING. We had lots of treats and snack and facecloths that grew. The night was a long night, since the kids were not quite used to our apartment, Jake was scared of our front door for some reason and wouldn't go past it unless the lights were on. So after some rearranging, Jake and Brandon were on one couch, Jessica was on the love seat and Sarah and I were in my room. Brandon ended up in the room with us girls since he learned even though I warned him that Jake is a furnace when he sleeps...his think hair just traps the heat I think. So we had Sarah between us and we had arms flung across us all night...hahaha. I ended up on the love seat with Jess for some of the night, and then on the couch with Jake when we woke up too...so I didn't have the best sleep ever but we had fun and that's all that matters. Plus I got to give Kathy and Jeff a nice break and I feel so good about that!!! In the morning we had a healthy breakfast...well at least we tried... I wanted to clean all the kids up so they all got baths and then I had some fun with Sarah. As you can see she has some curl to her hair...and she doesn't always love it...actually she hates it and anyway wants it straightened. So I blow dried and straightened her hair and wow the difference. I wish I could go and be her hair dresser every day because she just seemed so much more confident which is good for Sarah because she is so so shy!!! But it did take some time so it's definitely something that won't happen too much until she can do it herself...but doesn't it make the girls look like twins even more...man they're adorable in their matching shirts compliments of Uncle Bran and me at Christmas!! So we spent the morning relaxing and waiting for nanny to come and pick them up with miss Georgia. We passed the time by watching an all time favorite movie of mine and the kids which is High School Musical. I recommend it if you have never seen it come over and we'll watch it!! It's super cute to watch the kids watch it and sing along. They are both quite good at singing along to the movie...Jessica's favorite song is my least favorite song in the movie, but I'm starting to love it since she belts it out so well!! We had a great time with the kids, but I think next time we will trade with nanny and take Georgia...hahhaha!!!!!

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Don't worry kids I love ya, and we'll have to have you over again once uncle Brandon has recovered from the last sleepover!!!hahhahha!!!!

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So we finally have a new manager at work, and it's been going really great. Laura really fits well into the team. She is super organized and that's a perfect fit for me because I love organization. We are working super hard to get a 95% on our store audit...if we do lunch will be bought for us. So we have been cleaning and organizing and doing the visual super good. So fingers crossed for us we'll score high...wish us luck!!!! Sonja might be the only one to truly appreciate this picture, other then Jeff and I....but this is when Ashley from Coronation Street was in the store. We were beyond excited that he came to the store even though I didn't get to meet him...oh well I still met Sunita!!

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I don't know of everyone knew but my sister-in-law Keah went to Disney. She had a blast and came back with a tan...I am way jealous...I didn't want to sit next to her because I would totally look like a ghost next to her. So she saw a lot of High School Musical in Disney, again way jealous. For anyone who doesn't know I LOVE high school musical...I know it seems like I should be 12 years old, but sadly I'm 24...hahhaa! I own the movie and the soundtrack and I'd like to buy High School Musical 2. So keah being the sweetie that she is brought me back some yummy mints and High School Musical Stickers!!!! She gave them to me at church and I could hardly contain my excitement! Then this morning I get an e-mail from my friend Becca and what does this exciting e-mail contain...Pictures of East High in Utah where the movie was filmed! Becca lives near it and drove by and took pictures to send along to me...she's a big fan too!!! Were too big Geeks when it comes to high school musical, but hey it's good clean fun!! So I posted a picture from the movie and the front of the school, too cool and then the picture that Becca took...it i sooo the same. I so wish I lived close by so that I could go and get my picture taken in front of it!!! Anyway I just had to share my joy of these pictures!! You can all call me a geek I really would understand...hahahha!!!

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I think that's it for right now. I'm excited for the One Tree Hill Party...it's the 100th episode and it looks sooooo good! We're having a potluck tonight and I cannot wait...there is going to such good food and an ice cream cake!! There will be pictures taken tonight so look forward to them in a future post!!

Hope you guys are having a Great Week!! Can't wait to read all your upcoming posts!!!

Such Excitement...

A Big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Kristine and Davis on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl Kailey!

I have never been more excited to get a phone call from my sister then then I was on Saturday afternoon when she called to tell me the baby had arrived and it was a GIRL!!! woohoo I could finally buy something gender specific...which I did when I arrived at work. Sunday evening Julia and I headed down to the hospital to meet little miss podeszwa and she is a beauty. I think we were both super excited to get to hold her...definitely hard to pass her on because she is such a cutie pie! Kristine and Davis were like old pros when it came to the baby...I was quite impressed for only being parents for a day, they were super stars! Kailey is such a lucky little girl to have such great parents! I think what was especially exciting for me was that Kristine was my first old school church friend to have a baby, that I've actually gotten to go see in the hospital. We've had many friends from our youth days have babies, but unfortunately, they all live far away, so this was really special for me. I think Kristine and I go back to ohhh nursery together, so this was really awesome to see her now with her own little girl. So congratulations guys, we love you so so much and are so excited for your newly expanded family!!!!

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My next excitement has to do with the upcoming school year... so we've applied to school and were playing the waiting game about interviews which was the next step in this process. We both had interviews at the mount, which went well...and then today Brandon and I had a fun 2 hours and a bit drive to St.FX for another interview for me. So I think that one also went really well...it was a group interview and I actually had a lot of fun at it. When I got home though I had the biggest surprise...Brandon was checking the message and he said that the mount had called for me...so I called Lynn back and she said that they would like to offer me a place in their Education program for this upcoming September!!!! It still doesn't quite feel real, but it's super exciting to know that we now have the potential to stay in the city. I really want to stay here and go to the mount...but we'll have to wait and see and weigh the options for our little family...but fingers crossed we get to stay here...I love my family O'Hearon and Bing side, and would miss them so much...I'll move if I have to but this offer to the program at the mount is definitely weighing the scales towards staying here. So wish us luck!!

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Coronation Street is the next level of excitement for me, even though i missed it today. Sonja got me hooked on the show way way back in the day and now I hate to miss it. I know many of you are just thinking it's another soap opera...but its so much better...it's way more real...with people in every social class...real life problems...not everyone is rich and beautiful with perfect teeth...and they hangout in the local pub...not fancy restaurants...I just love the show. So anyway I get out of my interview today and Jeff had text messaged me to tell me that Ashley Peacock ( he is a character from the show who was in town for this meet and greet thing) was IN THE STORE TODAY...I'm sooooo jealous. He got an autograph for me and he got his picture taken with Ashley...so I told him I want a copy for my roots scrapbook and to post on my blog...so send it along Jeff. I was hoping he'd come in tomorrow when I was in but no such luck. So now Jeff and I have both gotten to meet a Corrie person...I met Sunita and had my picture taken and Jeffs met Ashely...I wonder who will be next!!!

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The final thing I wanted to mention was that I've recently been reading the books by Stephanie Meyer....Twilight and New Moon and I'm HOOKED...Ashely I hope you don't mind I borrowed the second book from my mom...I borrowed it on Sunday night and finished this afternoon...I couldn't put it down...so she has the book to return to you...I hope it's okay...and I'm hoping you won't mind if I borrow the third book sometime...I think kathy has it right now...let me know. I'm not going to lie at first when everyone was posting about these books, I was like...hmmm Vampires...I don't know about that...but I LOVED THESE BOOKS SO FAR... I can't wait to see the movie. Kathy asked me tonight if I like Edward or Jacob more...and I think I'd have to say I'm an Edward Fan...he just loves Bella sooooo much and doesn't he sound super dreamy....I know it's just a book, but you have to use your imagination when you read. If you have not read these books get them or borrow them because you'll be hooked...thanks to everyone whose read them and passed on the suggestion, because they are sooooo good!!! Okay so after posting this the first time...I went on the web site that Stephanie Meyers has and there was some info about the movie and the cast...so this is a picture of the Cullen family...I was quite excited to see this. I believe Edward is being played by the actor who played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter...and Carlisle is being played by Jennie Garth (kelly 90210) husband Peter Facinelli...the one thing I don't love about this picture is the woman playing Esme she's the woman who played Jane Doe on Greys anatomy...I didn't really love her...but maybe this will change my opinion on her. I'm super excited for this movie to come out....too bad it's not until December 12th...anyway read the books and for those who have hope you enjoy the picture!!!The Cullen Family... so excited!!

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Anyway I think that is all the excitement for now...sorry there were not more pictures...I'll do better next time. Check out my facebook for a few more pictures of cutie pie Kailey...oh and if you hadn't noticed my little sister laura joined our blogging family...check her out and add her to your friends list, her blog is a hoot so far even though she made it clear that her blog is not for mine and kathys amusement....hahha gotta love laura. Hope everyone is doing awesome!!!!

It's been a crafty month...

So Valentines Day has come and gone and as I'd mentioned Brandon and I had spread out the celebration since we knew we wouldn't really get to see each other since I worked in the day and he worked in the night...which totally sucked...but what can ya do. We don't need a special day to tell each other how much we love each other...but maybe next year we'll get to spend it together because I do enjoy the day don't get me wrong. So on Valentines day I was at work and we had a fun day...I sported my pink polo layered with my heart printed shirt...I was feeling the love. I brought in Valentines for everyone and Jeff bought us lip shaped cookie. This is a picture of Maria and I with our new lips. The picture doesn't do it justice because they were sooooo sparkly and pretty it was awesome, I hated to eat it but it was delicious! Luckily Valentines was on a Thursday so I got to spend the evening with my girls watching survivor...Kerry and Natalie made us dinner and I brought some Valentines treats so it was a great night!

I've got to be a bit craftier this month too, which I'd been missing since the holidays were so busy at work. I haven't had the chance to scrapbook yet, but I've been making cards and loving it. I found a style of cards that I really liked so I re-created it for Brandon for Valentines Day and I think it turned out pretty dang good...I was way proud of it, and actually like it more then the one I saw in the store. Brandon didn't want me to buy him anything for Valentines day so the card included some coupons which I thought was perfect...things like a back rub, and a date night. I think he really liked it, and appreciate it, which is what I was going for...check out the pictures!! Oh and I think I am slightly crazy because it is stitched around each coupon, and i did it by hand, it took forever but was so worth it because it looked awesome in the end.

My sister Kathy has introduced me to this new magazine and I love it. It's called Scrapbooks etc. and it has some really awesome ideas for scrapbooks and cards, so I printed off the pattern for one of the cards and attempted to make it and it turned out super cute...well I think so. I think it will turn into one of those cards that you make to give people all the time, because it's easy and adorable. I made these first three for the sisters at church that Jessica and I visit teach. I wanted to be able to leave them with a little thought and a little Valentines wish. The card in the magazine used some patterned papers, which was really cool but I didn't have any that I thought would be suitable, so eventually I'll get some and make the card again using that idea but for now I love using the bring colors. I actually bought this paper for the cricut machines that they sell which I wish I owned but i don't...but the paper is really awesome and kinda textured. So it was really perfect for the card! I don't know what it is about card making and cards in general but I do love love love them. I love giving them i love receiving them i love the look on peoples faces when they open a card and appreciate the message in it. I just can't explain the extent that I love cards. I keep them too and it's such a great thing to look back on when you are feeling blue or just want to remember the fun day you were given the card. It's dangerous though when I get into a card store because I just can't contain myself...I have a three drawer plastic storage container which I store cards in...it used to be this little fan folded box but I out grew it, and now they're in the three drawers. It comes way in handy when I just need a card. My favorite card store is called Duly Noted and it's on Quinpool Road. The cards are a little pricey but they are so worth it because they are absolutely beautiful. I also got my wedding invitations from there too! I don't get there often which is probably good because I'd be BROKE...but it's a special treat when I do!!! I hope that you've all enjoyed this little rant about cards, but I just thought I would share my passion on them. Oh and I should mention as well that my husband gave me the cutest Valentines card this year, it has the cutest little money couple on it and it fan folds out a few times...I will treasure it always since it was our first married Valentines Day together. It was sitting out for me when I got home from girls night on Valentines Day and it brought tears to my eyes.


I also wanted to share a picture of my table from my first dinner party. We haven't had anyone over yet for dinner, since one I'm not the confident in my cooking yet, and it's hard to find time when Brandon and I are both home. So I had the girls over for Survivor night and we had dinner first, I made my sisters curry chicken, with rice, rolls and carrots and I think it turned out pretty well. I don't think anyone was sick the next day! It was super fun to hangout with the girls and have a delicious dinner. Plus I got to set my table super fun and use my turquoise and brown plates which I have yet to be able to use and I loved it so much that I had to take a picture...I am a GOOF! I guess next time I'll get a picture of us with the table but my batteries died..boo! But it was a fun night so the memory will last regardless of if I caught it on camera or not.

The last thing to mention is some exciting news in the Bing Home...as everyone knows we've been applying to school next year...and we've just been waiting now to hear if we were getting interviews or not. Well so far we both have interviews at the mount this week and next week we are driving up to St.FX for my interview there. Hopefully Brandon will hear from X soon, but he wants to do high school so the interviews would be at a different time. I'm way nervous about the interviews so keep us in your prayers, but I think we'll be okay. I'm hoping all my time in retail will pay off in this situation! I do have to brush up on my math skills this week since i do have a math test on Saturday at the mount...it's been awhile since I've done math...so i need the work.

Hope everyone is having a great week....I've been loving the updates from everyone...Kristi has some great pictures on hers...Kristine has a baby update, nothing yet but hopefully this week...kathy's family's been gaining and loosing teeth and my friend Meghan from high school has just started a blog and I'm super excited about that! So check out all the blogs because everyone has been updating and there super fun to read! Thanks everyone for the updates I love them and will try to comment more!!

It's been a GREAT month so far and it's only begun

There has been lots going on this month and it's only the 10th of February...so I thought I'd put up a post to share some of life this week!

February is a big month for Brandon and I...why you may ask?

Well February is when Brandon and I had our first un-official first date, we went to Montana's with some friends after instutite and February is when we had our first official date at the movies...we will never forget the movie MONSTER. We didn't enjoy the movie at all, but it will always be significant because that was what we watched on our first date. So we've now been together for four years...wow wow wow...who would have thought four years ago when we sat through that not so good movie that we'd be married! And here we are! February is also significant because on February 4th we'd been married for SIX WHOLE MONTHS...it's crazy that it's already been half a year...i guess time flies when you are having fun!! February is also the month of love, since Valentines day is coming up...I figured we wouldn't be doing much for this holiday since we both have to work...me 9-5:30 and brandon 7-7...so there is not any time when we'll see each other, but we've actually been doing more, just spread out over the month. Last Friday Brandon surprised me with my Valentines gift early...he bought me some boots, and I couldn't have been happier, because they are the UGGS I've been wanting forever. Some people think they are ugly, but they've never worn them...they are so cozy and warm and I love love love them. I've really wanted them because i can wear them at work and in every day life. So I'm super excited about that. Then this friday we were able to go out to dinner together which we haven't in awhile, and of course we headed out to Montana's. It only seemed appropriate since it was the first place we'd ever eaten at! I've been working on Brandon's Valentines card....it's coming together slowly...but I think it's going to look great, I'll post pictures when I'm done. So this month so far has been a blast, I'm loving the time Brandon and I have gotten to spend together and just to celebrate being together! Hopefully the rest of the month will keep going this way!

Happy Birthday Wishes go out to my MOM!

This Saturday was my mom's birthday.. and if you called my house she would have told you that...hahha she was too cute. So of course a birthday in our home usually brings us all together and mom's birthday was no exception. Mike and Keah came over, Kathy and the kids drove across the bridge and I bused over since Bran had to work. We had a super yummy Chinese dinner followed by some Super Store Cake...YUMMY! Aunt Julie and Uncle Bill also came over to celebrate in the festivities and I know that mom loved being surrounded by so many people that loved her. I'm going to admit to all my blogging friends that I love High School Musical and High School Musical 2...I know they're made for young people, but I love the story and the catchy music...I can even sing along. Now that you all know I'm a geek, it does come in handy because my nieces love it too...they borrowed my copy of the movie and then I showed them some of the second one on the computer, it was so much fun. I think that Sarah could have sat up there with me all night and just watched and learned the song. It was too cute!!! We also had a fun game night...playing Catch Phrase which I LOVE! and also WIZARD...which I do love even though the game drives me crazy...it's a card game and we own it now, so if anyone wants to come over and play a super fun game,let us know!! Another big milestone occured last night and that is that...

Sarah Grace Nelson lost her FIRST TOOTH!

Sarah came home from a fun day playing with her buddy Madison and her tooth was super loose...it was literally just hanging on by a thread. She can be like me, which is SUPER shy, and a little nervous about new things. So she didn't want it to come out...it was driving me crazy and I was offering her so much to let us pull it out...75 cents, candy, stickers, lip gloss...you name it if I had it, it would have been hers. Eventually she let her mother pull it out, and she called me down to the bathroom first to show it off, we were all so excited and happy for her and this big day! Of course she didn't forget anything that I'd offered her, and I was good to my word. She was hesitant to show it off at first because there were so many people over, but eventually she was all grins. So I hope she sees this because I'm very proud of how brave she is!

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Goodbyes

are also in the books this month...

as any one who has talked to me lately or have read my blog they will know that we have been managerless, well we have a new manager, but now we're just waiting to get her in our store. We are excited to have Laura joining our team at Spring Garden. We are sad though at the store especially me to see Monika leaving. She is moving out West to oversee British Columbia Roots stores which is super exciting for her, but sad for us to have her leaving. Monika is the coolest person ever, we got to go to Moncton together for Roots and we had a blast together. So I had to make her a goodbye card from the store, a store one just wouldn't be appropriate so posted below is my little fisherman card and a pic of monika and me!! Good Luck Monika...we'll miss you!!!

I hope you all have enjoyed my little update and all my pic's, eventually the rest of them will be posted on facebook...so check them out!! I hope you all feel the love of this month, and have a wonderful Valentines day!! Just know that I love ya all!!! Keep your updates coming, I check them daily!!!

Welcome Madison Lily Maxwell!

Congratulations

Mat, Nancy and Madison Maxwell!

It was an exciting morning in our home, my cell phone rang at 7am and it was sonja calling to let me know that Mat and Nancy had their baby this morning. I was not expecting that at all! Nancy wasn't due for another week, so we were not expecting the news. We are sooooo happy for them. They have a beautiful baby girl, Madison Lily Maxwell who weighed 7lbs 13 ounces. I think I told every customer who looked at the baby items in the store today about the latest arrival. I chatted with Nany in the afternoon and she sounded so great and the labour sounded pretty nice too...check out sonja and kathy's blogs...they may mention more. I hope someday far away when we have children that I can have a labour like Nancy's. Phil, Sonja and Ethan picked me up from work and we headed down to meet little Madison. She is ADORABLE and has the softest brown hair ever. Sonja and I think she looks a lot like her mommy! It was so fun to hold a tiny baby again, she was so peaceful and only made one little peep!! Mom and Dad seem to be doing really great and have fallen into their new role of parents very naturally! Nancy was a little bummed that she might miss survivor...hopefully their DVR will work so she can see it, because it was GREAT,,,,fans vs. favorites...and I love the favorites. I'm rooting for the team of Ozzie, James, Parvati and Amanda...I'm hoping somehow they can get Yau in on their alliance, because then life would be perfect! Kerry, Nat and I were super excited to watch the showe and can't wait to see next weeks episode, where some new relationships develop!!! Here are two more pic's from the hospital tonight, check out my facebook for more!! Kristine is up next and I cannot wait to go visit her in the hospital and meet baby podeszwa... Madison will either get a new boyfriend or a new best buddy! Congratulations Guys!!! Love you all!

Our New Curtains

So we've been working really hard to set up our new home since we've been married, it's been taking a few months, but it's been exciting to see it all come together and to start feeling like home. We started off by getting the new sofa's, and then the furniture came...book case was the most recent, Brandon finished it himself. It took awhile to do, but well worth the hard work in the end. The most recent addition to the living room is our new curtains. I went out in November with my mother-in-law and the girls and I picked out the most beautiful material for my curtains. It was harder then I thought it would be, but it the end the material was PERFECT! This past week Laureen brought my new curtains over.She came over with Peter on Friday night and they helped us hang them and I've been smiling all weekend. They really have helped our living room feel more cozy and warm. She did a beautiful job, and is such a talented mother-in-law, I'm way lucky! They stayed and hungout for a bit and so did meaghan and jason, it was so great to just spend time with the family and eat yummy snacks. It was great to have people over at the apartment, we haven't had too many visitors yet in the new place, but we love people coming over, so stop on in.

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We also have up in our livingroom the new painting that we received at Christmas as a wedding present from Nathan and Caverly. Caverly is an amazing artist and I feel so lucky to get to have her art work up in our livingroom, I just need to find the proper way to hang it up on our wall. The colors in the painting are perfect, they go so well with the decor and the curtains. I wanted to share a close up view of the painting, so everyone can see the beauty. It will always be a special memory of our very special day. The day we became a family and started our lives together. We feel very lucky to have each other and to have such great and talented friends.

My Favorite Late Christmas Gift

Laura Slaunwhite, Natalie Theakston, Nicole Young, Kerry Miller and Me, Karen Bing

So I'm a very lucky girl and I know it because I've been blessed with the best husband, a great family, and wonderful friends at school, work, and church. I have to say I'm especially lucky to have my group of girls from High School, we've been friends really since elementary school, and we always make sure to get together at least once a week, and that day would be Thursday's. We call is Survivor night and it's the FUNNEST night. We play games, eat yummy treats and of course watch our shows, the main two being Survivor and Grey's. We are especially excited for survivor this season because it's fans verse favorites...which means half the people will be survivor all-stars....sooooooo excited.

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The reason this post is called my favorite late Christmas Gift, is because my friend nicole surprised us all this January. She called me from out west so I thought two Thursday's ago...and within an hour she was in my store surprising me, only Laura knew she was coming. She wanted to come home during the holidays, but it was to expensive, so she came in January. So the night she arrived we went to girls night and she gave us our Christmas Gifts. We all opened them at the same time, and they were Team Thursday T-shirts!!! Once we opened them she took off her coat to show us hers. We all have our own colors, and they have our initials in the corner...for more pictures check out my facebook. We'd always talked about making t-shirts and now we have them. I've always wanted a made t-shirt and now I have one...so exciting!!

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Not much to update everyone with yet...Brandon and I are applying to schools still, and work has slowed down. We've been getting in some amazing new things and such cute baby clothes...for all my friends having babies I can't wait to buy baby shower gifts!!! We finally found out who our new manager will be, Laura will be joining our team and we're excited to have her. I'm excited to have a manager again, so I don't have so much on my plate, especially since new stock is arriving and I'll be doing visual a lot more. I've been volunteering at my old elementary school and loving it. I've been working with the ESL kids and enjoying them so much, it's such a rewarding feeling when they get it and learn something new. Wanda who is the teacher is such a sweetie and we have a great time. I really hope we get accepted to school so I can have my own little class some day soon!

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I hope that all who read this will comment...I've been only getting like 5 comments a blog and I know that there are more blogger friends out there then that. I check everyday to see new comments and I love hearing from you all. I'm going to try to be a better commenter too, so you all will get even more comments too!!

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Hope all is going great and that you were all safe in the crazy Halifax weather today!!