Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Seasons Change





Whoever thought the long summer days of trampolines and sprinklers would be gone?  The days of dollies and bedtime stories?  The 'hide and seek' when daddy came home or the 'riding of the horse' on daddy's back galloping all over the house?  The puppet conversations, the home school 'trip around the world'?  The piano lessons and ballet and many many hours of car chats to and from.  Who thought they would end?  I thought these days would last forever.  I know these years were in preparation but suddenly adulthood is here.  She is 18.  The girl I waited for for many long years has now moved out and is going to university.  I loved all those dress-up days and tea parties and trips to mini golf and go-carting.  Holidays dancing on the beach at Tofino, building sandcastles at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park.  Long, beautiful, relaxing, lazy tube runs down the river.  The piano concerts, and dance recitals.  I could keep reminiscing about what were some of the best years of my life.  

But what's really exciting at this season of life is seeing what is happening today.

Faith is confident, sure of her relationship with her awesome God, she has a caring and serving heart - a lovely thing to witness.  The first time she drove the truck off of our property by herself with that huge smile on her face, and a wave, I knew she was going to thrive as an adult.  She held a job at the greenhouse and at the Royal Alex hospital, and even working for her dad at times, showing herself to be conscientious and hardworking.  And now she has moved in with Auntie and is a student at the MacEwan University.  What an accomplishment!  She pushed through a very difficult semester in Grade 12 and ended up acing her most difficult subject - Chemistry.... she sailed through and had her 82% average to be able to enter the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 

 She is thriving in the city, another testament to her character:  making a friend with the 'grandpa' bus driver on route 111, talking with the homeless near her school, joining the Swing Dance club and volunteering with Circle Kiwanis International Club.

When we cleaned out her room of 'stuff' together it was a great transition time.  Watching her decide what to keep and what to give away was enlightening.  It also gave us a time to reflect on the past all the while realizing we were moving forward.

It is exciting to be her mom and now friend too; seasons change - we will not just survive, we will thrive.



October 18 Weekend 2014




Celebrating Jan and Mark's 25th Wedding Anniversary at Summerdale Hall, Barrhead, AB




Saturday, October 11, 2014

October 10, 2014 Family Outings

Sitting by a quiet lake for lunch is very therapeutic.  So many geese just quietly honking and swimming by.  Lots of them were in family groups.


Then there was the Mother moose and her 2 young ones.  We've seem them around for awhile now close to our home.  Wonderful to see them out together like this.  Just hope they stay off of the road this winter!!


Thursday, October 9, 2014

October 8, 2014 Pigeon Lake

What a beautiful time of year to land a job in Pigeon Lake!  We are working in a 'Cabin' right on the shore of the lake.  It's a beautiful 1 storey with a matching garage/boathouse.  I put quotes around the word cabin because we are talking way, way over 1 million dollars.  But maybe the view is worth it?

I took these from the shore right below the cabin.





And I took this right where the truck was parked across the street.


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

September 23, 2014 Autumn Evening

It was a beautiful fall evening.  We had hoped to have more time to explore Whitemud Creek Ravine Park but we ended up working later than expected.  
We got take-out A & W and sat here to eat our supper.  Then we went for a long walk.
Gorgeous Autumn way to end a long work day!





Saturday, September 20, 2014

September 15-19, 2014 Canyon, BC Visit



I made a trip to Canyon BC to visit my sister Jo and her family.  I think Autumn is a most beautiful season to go for a long, long drive.  I did not stop along the way to take pictures because I probably would have had to have another week at least!  The colours through the foothills and mountains were astounding. 

There are many delights to be found on Jo and Jeremy's beautiful place "The Shire"




The picture below is what you see from their back yard.



I love all the animals just roaming around in a natural setting.




Keeper of the sheep:  Dolly Llama



Jasper the very funny dog!



Fruit growing in their very own orchard.










Backyard Smoker



An autumn walk in the Wilderness Centre nearby







Local Fish and Chips Diner

One fine evening at the Goat River

Creston Museum





Lunch and Wine-Tasting at a local Winery and Orchard



Are you sure we're not in Italy?




Always good to go for a walk after all that delicious food!

My sis, Jo, and her dog, Jasper


Sunset pictures taken from Jo and Jeremy's porch