Tag Archives: workout

Aging, Boys, Christianity, christmas, God, home learning, teaching, Wordsmith

Be Losing Your Dreams

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I have started dreaming again. 

When the world shut down in 2020, I was in a place where many of my dreams got shut down too. 

It hurt more than I realized at the time. 

Fulfilling a dream to take our family to Japan. 

Achieving a dream of finishing a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km marathon run (Ironman triathlon) that I had spent two years training for. 

Living the dream of being surrounded by likeminded, healthy individuals who loved to workout, but couldn’t as the fitness centres and pools were shut down. 

On top of losing these dreams, I have now fully realized that I had lost hope. 

I lost hope for a future for our boys in a world that was moving towards kindness, peace and acceptance. Instead I saw and personally experienced polarization, judgement, discrimination and all out war in families and in the world. 

As I end 2023, I can fully say that my hope and dreams have returned amongst the polarization, judgement, discrimination and wars around the world. 

My dreams now exist more within me and our family.

I love living the dream of being able to have our three boys learn at home for the fifth year.  

I love planning our summer adventures: Our third trip to the Yukon and our sixth Cann-Sharpe Adventure with friends. 

I love my new calling working alongside 15 wonderful, inspiring teachers that support over 450 northern British Columbia home learning students. This group of people are the most heartfelt, insightful, hardworking group of educators that I have ever had the privilege to work with in my over twenty years in education. 

I love simply feeling hopeful. 

Hopeful because of the love and care I see around me through our friends and my work. 

Hopeful that God is working everything out in His timing.

Let go and let God. 

Hopeful of the uprising I see of saints who love people and want to show up louder, with this cloak of love, despite the hurts and harm they have experienced in their lives. 

I love dreaming again.  

Dreaming about what physical feat I will move towards next. 

Dreaming about who my boys are becoming and who they want to be. 

Dreaming about how I can show more love and care to those around me as I move through my own healing journey. 

Love truly conquers all and is the greatest power in our world that brings hope and dreams into the hearts of all who choose. 

More love. 

More hope. 

More dreams. 

Bring on 2024. 

Have an epic Christmas and end of the year folks and love what you do! 

Xoxo Joanna

Boys, health & fitness

Be Having Fat

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I had to share this quote that I came across a few months ago. It has greatly encouraged me as I have set some health goals to ‘be able to keep up to my boys.” This has meant that I want to shed a few pounds. Have you felt ten pounds of butter?

Ten more pounds to be light (and unfortunately I can’t get this in a bottle like my hair colour!) and running alongside my boys.

May this quote encourage you on your journey.

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One unconscious belief.

Shattered.

One conscious thought.

Replaced.

One mouthful.

At a time.

One workout.

Every day.

Let’s go TEAM LIGHT!

Boys, Family, Goals, health & fitness

Be Seven Women Working out in Minus Seven

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I have been fortunate to play on many teams, work with many colleagues and be involved with many groups.

As my mom as my standard, I have met some exceptional women.

This morning’s working out with Krista K as our leader and five other women in minus seven degrees weather beside the still lake, was truly exceptional.

The quality of heart, friendliness and athletic determination of these women is always inspiring. IMG_7034.JPGIMG_7033.JPGAll ages and stages of life are represented by these women, and no matter the weather or season of life they take time to take care of themselves.

Daily.

Intentionally.

With kindness.

Our leader and guide is what brings us together and the reason we choose to exercise in minus seven degree weather. I don’t think I have know a better trainer with an eye for how different bodies should move properly as well as knowing when I am trying to slack off. “Shoulders down Joanna. Squat down farther.”

Krista K, our detailed-oriented, friendly leader not only creates incredible workouts, but manages to jump in to help children that have been brought along.

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IMG_7037.JPGHere is Krista rolling a soccer ball up a slide to my son.

And if anyone can tell me how it is possible that I haven’t done the same workout TWICE in the SEVEN months I have been going to Krista’s classes, I would like to know!

Here is my three year old OC and I working out together: I am doing triceps, he’s on the playground.

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Extraordinary women.

Incredible morning.

Amazing Trainer.

There are no better adjectives to describe this morning of seven women working out in minus seven!

Boys, Family, Grief

Be Happy/Sad Hockey is Over!

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Hockey in Vtown finished this afternoon. We love the coach, Z! She is the perfect balance of firm, fun and technical skills. She has continued to fuel our boys love for hockey.

We love the midweek connection we have had with papa and nana.

But frankly, I am exhausted. All of this driving, delving back and forth into my old life and how this season of our lives has unfolded.

I am happy/sad. My life is a dichotomy of mixed emotions most of the time, this is just another simple example.

OC got his first stick today:

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20140312-161747.jpgOC is a star hanging out for two hours while his brothers skate.

JC and Papa getting the equipment on:

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CC with his post-practice sweaty head:

20140312-161913.jpgAfter practice they had pizza for the players:

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Letting go.

Saying goodbye.

Sitting in happiness with sadness.

He shoots.

He scores!

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CC and JC on the ice together.