Trip tales part 10

This is called- way too many pictures in one blog post.

This was the last time I got to see Tighe in person, on this trip ;( They say "parting is such sweet sorrow" but sometimes I think it's just sorrow. Especially knowing how much I would miss her and all our other friends. Before when we left, I didn't know how hard it would be to not have people around that I treasured so much and who had become such a vital part of our lives and support system. During our move, I was thinking about the long drive and u-hauling all our stuff and what might await us in Canada. There was none of that this time to shield me from the hurt of saying "goodbye- until we see each other again".

Thankfully there are phones and the internet, so we are not totally disconnected. Can you imagine what it was like for pioneers (my great grandparents) when they left Europe to cross a huge ocean, face the unknown and leave FOREVER their family and friends, to face harsh cold CANADA with barely anyone living close even, few tools and resources, crazy epidemics, without doctors, childbirth without hospitals, no phones, electricity, internet, plumbing, cars, airplanes, facebook... I am SO GLAD I was born now and here and to the family I was born into!! So I'm not going to complain that I miss my friends. It could have been much worse.



and see technology let me keep all these memories on little clear pictures...



what a lovely day, and what lovely times.



and we are adding to our repertoir of friends here, albeit slowly...

I am so so thankful to the Muirheads and the Koops, who immediately welcomed us in and befriended us- it's good to have cousins in town and my favorite memories here have their faces speckled throughout.



We are discovering the charms of small town and of Fort Qu'Appelle and the joys of school and growing and learning and being where we are meant to be.



It's not always easy, but we can cling to our treasure trove of happy days afar and here and know that we are very very blessed people.



The trip gave me lots of perspective adjustements. I realized that while it is way more expensive in Canada, prices shot up some in the States too.


I remembered again that Fort Qu'Appelle is incredible gorgeous and that we need to get out and let the beauty soak into our beings.



I remembered that we made a "fair trade" of insanely hot for insanely cold- maybe Brian and I are just people of extremes ;)

Abilene had a lot of great things to do for cheap or free, but there are things here too, it just took some time to find them.


I realized that while the miles are long, it's so worth the drive. Abilene has a lot of people who have shaped our lives and touched our hearts like no others can, but there are people here doing that too. Best friends are not made in a day, but in years, events and circumstances that mold us together. I am thankful and grateful for all the "best friends" I've had through the years. My cousin told me that I was not allowed to have so many "best" friends. But everywhere I've lived, I had one person who become a "bosom buddy" as Anne would say. I've come to the realization and acceptance that we don't always continue the journey relationally when distance comes into play- those people are still vital to who we are, but the Lover brings others alongside us for the next part of the trip. Somehow this time, I was able to snag at least one best friend along for the long haul. I'll always be thankful to Texas for giving me Brian!! and also perhaps for giving me some life long journeyers, who we can keep sharing our hearts with, who will not fade away in the tapestry of our memories, but continue to shed light in our journey thanks to connections of the heart and phone and internet and miles traveled to meet up over the years.

Trip tales part 9

oh, oh, the trip has long been over now, but I haven't uploaded pics yet since we've been back, so you get more trip pictures. While in Abilene, we got to see my African friends, one of who now has a new business, a store and the family I was closest to who now live in a brand new home built by habitat for humanity. I also got to see Mamie's "new" baby- he was walking around! That's how long we'd been gone!!












We also got to go out to Shane and Marisol's where we have enjoyed many a bbq in the past. Marisol's family kind of adopted us while we lived there. Her brother lived across the street from us and her mom down the street. I actually first met Shane at school there and we were both surprised to see each other on Briarwood st. at a party. Their last name is McLoud. Their daughter battled leukemia most of the years we knew them. They are a beautiful family.

Happy Birthday Emora!

Three years ago today, I entered the hospital with a big belly, my husband and mother at my side. With a little persuasion, Emora came into the world as a new president was sworn in. Our days have never been the same since and we are so thankful for our third bundle of joy. My first thought was that I got a different one! Emora did not look like a triplet to her siblings who 2.5 years apart looked nearly identical at birth. I remember Trish taking care of Ivan and Dominique and was so thankful for her short notice help. I remember them coming to the hospital to see her and I was thankful that for our last baby born, we had a great hospital stay and experience. Our friend and neighbor, Big Buddy was in the same hospital at the time and he got to be one of the first to great our new baby as Brian wheeled us to his room.

Emora constantly cracks us up. She is very fun, except when she is extremely willful and then we are quite amazed and challenged with her incredible strength of perseverence! I am thankful I have another cuddler, even if it means that I am forced to lay down with her each day to get her to nap. It's not a bad thing to be reminded for 10min. (or more) each day to slow down and cherish, hold, marvel at people important to us.

We had a good day today. Emora woke before the crack of dawn, only I didn't know it was her. All I knew was that I was hauling one of my girls into our bed before my time to get up to do my early morning bank clean. I was so convinced it was Dominique, she felt so long and big. I realized it was Emora when I didn't see her in her room. Emora decided that for her birthday she would refuse to talk the first part of the day while she was told well wishes. We saw friends at the Outreach, and the library and went on an impromptu date at a new robin's donuts and 2 for 1 pizza place that opened today for her birthday! We did get a nap, although I still feel like a mac truck hit me. We are all fighting head colds, so we are glad the weekend is her. Tomorrow we will celebrate birthdays with a family party. There are 6 this month, all parent and daughter combos!

Trip tales part 8

We got to have a night to hang out with the Truebloods. They often eat their supper at their restaurant or hang out there. It was a great place to dine when they were open, and it was also supper fun to be there when they weren't. The kids were extremely concerned about us going into a restaurant with the closed sign up, so I showed them who Joel was, told them he was the owner and that if he said we could be there it was ok. Then Dominique piped up saying "can I have a prickly pear lemonade then?" It was great, dancing space, music, ambiance and laughter, over amazing food, cappuccino and art, playing a game and dreaming of life's directions together.

My only sadness is that we don't get to be there more or that they didn't have the restaurant when we were there. Brian and I both got to be a part of some of their catering gigs though and that was totally fun. I love how Trish and Joel do things beautifully.

Their daughter Bella "taught" my trio how to make cappuccinos and they presented me with this!






Emora eating leg of lamb.



















Chef Joel in his kitchen, creating masterpieces.


The biggest fork I've ever seen.









Healer, friend, supporter, inspirer, Trish in her garden spaces behind the restaurant. December and she pulled up some little carrots for supper! She also has a bunch of lettuce and herbs growing. The only thing we are growing this time of year in Fort Qu'Appelle is icicles! But I am dreaming of our garden in spring. I bought some cheap, cheap end of season seeds. They are nestled away in the cupboard.

Meanwhile it's about -40 here! I walk around in warm slippers, a long sleeve shirt and sweater, sometimes with a scarf around my neck, drinking hot tea or coffee INSIDE the house and I had to fight with my daughter to take ski pants to school (she says she doesn't need them since they are having indoor recess). I fought with both her and her brother to put on a long sleeve shirt over their t-shirts. At the end of the day, I found their discarded shirts in their backpacks. Are they part heater or something?! Amazing!

Trip tales part 7

Enjoy the weather Abilene, we sure did! I left off the last post with us at Fort Imagination in Abilene and I still had more pictures from that relatively warm day.

Here in Canada, it's cold these days, I mean really cold- freeze the snot in your nose as you walk to the car cold, frost on the inside of the van cold, big chunks of ice on my indoor window cold, mop sticking to the ATM frozen door cold, jean stiff burrrrrr cold. So Emora and I made muffins and drank hot apple cider (for me) hot choc. milk (for her) and look at the beauty through the windows- braving the outside only to drop off kids at school and pick them back up. Yesterday we had apple crisp with caramel swirl ice cream for desert and it was so comforting. All I wished for more was a hot fire and good book!

It was Brian's birthday Sunday. He and I got to eat out Friday night and the next day, he went into the city to have a day to himself. Sunday he started a new brew that he is looking forward to trying.


Ivan's ski trip was cancelled today. They are still having school it's -40 (where fareinheit and Celcius meet) so a bit nippy to be skiing, but not cold enough to cancel school. They have been having indoor recess, which my kids love, but I'm sure it's driving the teachers a little batty. Grace to them all today and through the week. They say it might get up to just -1 by the weekend. That would be crazy, but nice.





These dress up pics were taken as the kids were playing at Olivia's house. They are dressing up in her little dog's outfits and lifejacket. We had a fun lunch there and time together.




thanks go to Olivia for sharing pics too!