Family

This is unusual... it's 9 o'clock on a weeknight and The Big Bang Theory isn't blaring on the TV; so loud that I want to scream.

I'm sitting in my freshly cleaned pajamas, drinking a large mug of Twinnings Earl Grey Tea. The house is dead silent tonight. It's beautiful. If I wanted I could turn on some soft Counting Crows ; but this silence is precious. It happens so seldom that it is something to be cherished.

I'm beginning to feel the emotions described to me by last year's graduates. "Enjoy grade eleven while you can; grade 12 is hard and stressful." They warned.

figuring out your future
school applications
mounds of homework
sports
scholarship applications
work
social life
family commitments
community involvement
and lastly
... sleep

This past little while more than ever, I've been feeling the pressure. The effects of sleep-deprivation are beginning to catch up with me. Last night I was so exhausted I had to go to bed at 8.

In stressful times like these, you need to have something to look forward to. Something to motivate you to keep going.

For me right now, it is this...

It's my trip to Lethbridge next weekend to see my Grandma and Grandpa who just yesterday celebrated their 58th Anniversary.

It's being there to celebrate my Grandparent's 50th Wedding Anniversary.


It's about seeing these cousins who I don't see nearly enough for my satisfaction. (Tegan- on the right- turned 14 today!)

I'm excited to visit this place, where I spent every summer of my childhood climbing hay stacks and picking strawberries.

Realizing that it probably felt like yesterday that my mother's family was the same age as mine is now. How precious time is.

The three Odland girls.

It's the precious family moments like this.

The graduations.

The sisterly-love.

The card games.

The parent-to-be's.

It's the bromances.

Right now, it's my family that keeps me going.