BBQ...after the Train Museum

Something in southern culture that we have fully embraced is BBQ. So...following the train museum, we found ourselves a local BBQ joint. I can't believe I'm posting the last photo - it's only because I love you all so much I guess.

Asher's Birthday - Train Museum

We took Asher to a very cool train museum for his birthday this year.

We even got to ride the train you see behind them.

Asher & the conductor. :-)

Our 4 year old boy.

Just because...

...I feel the need to reintroduce our family. And I like the photos of Bella eating ice cream with her daddy.

Bella and I.

Asher, Scott & Bella.

She's very focused. She takes eating ice cream very seriously. And she should.

Bella Fashion Show

August?! Really? Yikes. I can't believe that's the last time we've posted anything.

I took these photos this past summer to show off Bella's great summer dress collection. I thought people could vote on which dress was their favourite. You still can if you'd like....even though she doesn't fit into them anymore.

(The halter. She wears it well)

(she wowed the people at church with this one. What can I say? She's very cultured.)

(homemade by my sister...and I had one that looked just like it when I started Kindergarten)

I know I'm her mama but she is gorgeous. I'm crazy about her.

Pictoral Tour!

Now that we have had a home the hospitality merry-go-round has already begun. So far both sets of parents and our friend Jeff have come to visit. Scott's brother and sister are coming next week and ANNE SUE! is coming for the month of September. And it took us a few weeks to get our home furnishings in order, craigslist and garage-sale shoppers that we are! (Charlotte is seriously amazing for that). Without further ado...a tour...


We live in a cute little ranch in a decent enough neighborhood. Coming from Vancouver, it is a bit of a stretch to call it a neighborhood - no sidewalks, nothing within walking distance, etc. - but it isn't really a development, so that's good.

We'd wanted some land so we could "practice" farming, but alas, nothing affordable within reasonable distance of work could be found. But we do have a nice deck and so far the bugs aren't too bad. Notice the garage-sale-score! smoker next to the rusted-out-inside-but-free-on-craigslist gas grill.

Inside the front door we have the living room...


And to your left, the "formal dining" area...


And last but not least, the kitchen...




While it wasn't what we were looking for originally, we are very happy with how it turned out!

We're Home

It’s been 14 months since we left Vancouver and on July 1^st (Happy Canada Day!) we finally moved into our own place. This journey has been completely unexpected, unimaginably difficult and the lessons learned and growth experienced as a result will undoubtedly carry us for years to come. Our families have supported us in an amazing way, allowing this saga—as excruciating as it was at times–to end well. Scott is working for himself doing different bits of carpentry, painting, tile and other kinds of handy man type stuff. He likes it and business seems to be going well. Finding a suitable place to live was a challenge we didn’t anticipate, but finally, the day has come.

One thing that deeply bothers us about how the past year has progressed is that we have left so many wonderful relationships essentially on pause in order to keep our heads above water. You have no idea how much energy it takes to blow up an essentially comfortable, peaceful life and transition for 14 months, with two toddlers, searching increasingly desperately for a job, all the while living in other people’s homes. You just don’t. Still, we’re sorry; really sorry. We know that some relationships have withered a bit as a result and that stinks. Anyway, we want to slowly reengage: email us, call us, heck, come for a visit.

Some interesting statistics since we left Vancouver:

• • Months: 14
  • Miles put on our car: 25,000 (that's 40,233 km)
  • Vehicles purchased: 1 - 2000 Toyota Tundra w/ ladder rack & tool box
  • Miles put on second vehicle: 1,500 (already)
  • States we have been in: 18 (and 2 provinces, BC and Ontario)
  • Different places we have slept: 24 (we think)
  • Different places we have stayed more than a week: 6 (in four states)
  • Bushels of grain harvested: In the neighbourhood of 60,000 if I recall
  • Cover letter written: No way am I figuring that up!
  • Job ads perused: Tens of thousands
  • Craigslist ads perused (for everything under the sun): Countless
  • Stanley Cups: Oh so close!
    

Piano

They chose their accessories (including shoes). I was only responsible for their clothes, which by themselves, are respectable. This is how they wanted to go to the post office. And we did.

A duet.

Or solo.