from northern climes

It's been a busy weekend here in Thunder Bay, and we get to go home bright and early tomorrow morning - with two wins! Last week's preparations for this weekend's games included repeated advice from a number of people warning me/us of how difficult the road trip was going to be - cold dry weather, a scrappy team, a long trip up... I felt as if we were traveling to some remote town in northern Siberia (which, just to note, Steve did when he played in Russia). We prepared well and came to play, and after last night's five set thriller (we won the fifth 15-13), we did a better job of sticking to our game plan, keeping the ball in play and finishing things off when we had to. I also did a better job of mixing things up, so feel like I'm getting more comfortable in games - in  making decisions for subs, time-outs etc. I am SO excited to get home and see the kids, and we have Monday off; hopefully I'll be able to get a bit of schoolwork done and get some quality time in with the family (yay).

It sounds like it's been an exciting weekend in London: Steve got the kids signed up for baseball this morning and then took them through the car wash TWICE (oh yeah) before setting up new beds for both of them. I'm excited for them - and excited to get the in-person intro and tour to their new night-time digs. Here's what I'm coming home to:

There must be more to write about, but it's late and I'm thinking I might get a little work done (or at least get some readings loaded) before bed, before the drive-fly-drive trek home in the morning. Until next time!

can't wait to see these three!

ps. Article's about our weekend games can be found here and here... yay!

speed update

It's the middle of January already! EEEEEEeeeeeek... And life isn't going to slow down until season is over - or maybe even until school is over, and I sure hope I can take a vacation (albeit a mini one) before baby #3 arrives in May. Have I announced this on here yet? I'm ashamed that I don't have a single baby bump picture, but at 24 weeks the little guy in there (yes, guy!) has forced me into maternity pants. I haven't had many aversions or cravings, but I'm definitely more hungry than usual (I think) - though this could just be an eat more want more thing... you know? Anyways! Moving on, speed-blurb-update style:

Winter has hit, and Steve has been shovelling snow like it's his job. He does our driveway and our two neighbours' driveways, and they deserve it; they help us out so much with the kids (watching for an hour here and there) and bring us baked goods and, well, regardless, they should have their driveways shovelled by us younger folk (I've helped, but not intensively).

Steve is another year wiser! I surprised him on his birthday with a birthday lunch complete with his boy home from school, and I think it was the highlight of his day. I was up baking his heart-shaped birthday cake (Hendrik's idea) at 11:30 the night before, iced and decorated by Hendrik and I (covertly and in our pyjamas) the next (birthday) morning, and then there was cake and ice cream after lunch that day (YUM).

Loft bed coming up! We've figured out what the sleeping arrangements will look like come this third babe's arrival, and it's going to be a not-so-high loft bed staggered over Hendrik's current bed, which will become Alana's. We're thinking we'll get them in their new beds soon-ish (Hendrik in his loft, Alana in Hendrik's old twin bed) and then make the transition to roommate living (which was once oh so very fun) in March or April.

Volleyball. Oh what a chance the guys had to get that ticket to Rio, but it was not to be. In front of a sold out crown in Edmonton last Sunday, Canada fell to Cuba in three straight sets, and it wasn't pretty. They hung tight with them here and there, but Cuba had standout players and a sense of urgency - and we were lacking both (in my opinion). They've got another crack at it in May, but the odds were more in their favour in this last tourney than in the next; still, they've got an army of supporters behind them!

School. Coaching. Motherhood. I'm wearing many hats, all at the same time. I'm still figuring out when to do what and how, but it'll come - because it has to! We have our first league game of the second half this weekend against Waterloo, and I sure would like to win it! One pregnant coach replaces another, and hopefully we can keep our positive record (7-2) looking good!

The kids have been LOVING the snow, and they've also been loving the truly Canadian ride home from school transport of the trusted double sled. We've schlepped them home from school multiple times, and they love it. Pictures to come...

For now, that's it! I have a pile of cards and photos and papers and who knows what else to go through - we've been trying to organize and de-clutter, but eating, showering, cooking, cleaning up, working, studying, etc., comes first. Until next time!

2016!

Happy New Year! After a relaxing-ish day or two to start the year, 2016 is off to a busy start. We flew into Toronto on the 30th and by chance landed at the same time as the men's national team - returning from a short series in Poland. It was great to see most of the guys and then get to spend a lovely morning brunching with Freddie and Shanti on New Year's day. Steve was in the city for NYE and I was asleep with Hendrik and Alana in B-ville, but we all managed to meet up for some good conversation, catching up, and food (eggs benedict) in the early afternoon hours of this new year. The men's team starts the Road to Rio with a match tomorrow night in Edmonton, available for viewing on cbcsports.ca; Saturday's match is televised, and Sunday's is streamed online. If they win all three and/or win the round robin, they've earned themselves a spot in the Olympic Games - something that hasn't happened for the men since 1992. The women's games are already underway (you can find them here), but as the lowest ranking team in the tournament, they'll face more challenges in gaining a berth to the Games.

After a break from school madness and morning promptness, we've struggled to get people out of bed on time in the morning, and we've been a little late several times and very late just once... but we're trying to stay patient and keep our cool. I only have class one morning a week, but with a full volleyball schedule, I'll have to figure out my own timeline in terms of how I get work done and when and where. Week one is almost done, and I'm feeling good... but that might be because I haven't done any schoolwork! I'm hoping that as we get into the flow of the semester that I'll sort things out.

I have lots more to write about but need to get to bed - how does it get so late so quickly?!