Giving Thanks

    This is Thanksgiving weekend. In our minds we revisit past weekends spent with friends and food; last year when dear friends drove out to see us, years on the east coast with people we wouldn't have met if the military hadn't put us all there at the same time, years in the congregation and at the seminary with wonderful people brought together by shared faith and value.

    With new places always come new people. I'm grateful for new and emerging friendships that we are finding here. Transitions after a move are hard sometimes and while we celebrate new people to be grateful for we also mourn and miss being close with those we love in other parts of the country. We give thanks for connections and community found in ever place we've landed.

    I give thanks for a roof over our head and food in our tummies. For the friendships the Littles have with each other and the support they find within our home. We are a family of dandelions, we bloom where we land.

    I am grateful for games we've been introduced to that create memories of warmth and laughter that we can share with others. We have passed some favourites along, we have picked up new ones, making new memories layered on top of old memories each time.

    I give thanks for random connections made through activities, for conversations with other parents during volleyball or archery, for opportunities to explore archery in the north, and for the chance to grow both personally and professionally in so many facets.

    I am grateful for technology and that with it connections over distances are so much easier to maintain. These moves would be much more lonesome and the solo parenting would exponentially more challenging without the tether of tech that makes staying in touch so much easier.    

    I am grateful for hobbies that keep my hands busy when my soul is anxious and keep those I love warm. I was sitting on the bed this afternoon, looking at the blanket on it that I had crocheted, trying to remember how old it was because it's starting to fray and there are some fibres breaking from use. I started making the blanket when Hubby was on tour and it has been used every day since I finished it. I am grateful for the friends and family that saw us through that deployment and for the safe homecoming when it was done.

    I give thanks for expression of emotion through music. The playlists we've had on repeat (always eclectic) and the ability to sing/hum/meditate to the sounds have been healing for us all. As well this week we were blessed to attend the ordination of two new deacons in the Anglican Church here and the hymns were like a balm to my soul. Music is therapy.

    I give thanks for the furballs in the home. Their presence sometimes feels more like a burden than a blessing, but these Floofs have been a life saver for the emotions and anxieties of the Littles. They cuddle when the Littles are feeling down or rough, they boost the mood when things are feeling a bit on the low side. Hubby was away for a week and the canines managed to sneak onto the bed with me in the middle of the night so I wasn't lonely. The Littles tend to hang out on the bed too when Hubby is away too; I suspect they don't realize it, but they also try to help me not feel lonely when Hubby is away. <3    

    There are so many things to be grateful for. So I give thanks.

Rubber Chickens and Rhubarb

 "WHO PUT THE RUBBER CHICKEN UNDER MY PILLOW????!!!!"  

This was yelled through the house by Monkey last night as children were starting to get into bed, teeth brushed and all that.  Smarty had already put himself to bed since he was scheduled to work first thing this morning.  There was such a hullabaloo that ensued after this exclamation, Girlie had found the chicken under her blankets and didn't know who had put it there, so she put it in Monkey's bed under her pillow. Who put it in Girlie's bed?  Sergeant swears it wasn't him.  I know it wasn't me, Hubby was chuckling to himself over all the noise and chaos, and Smarty was not responding and in his bed. 

I had my suspicions.

This morning Monkey was up after Smarty was up but before he left for work.  I was sitting and drinking my coffee, making conversation with the two of them and Monkey was recounting the evening noise.  Smarty was grinning.  He was the culprit! 

Later this afternoon he told me he put the chicken under Sergeant's pillow as a surprise for bedtime tonight.  One of the girls has since moved the chicken from Sergeant's bed and out it under Smarty's pillow.  This could be a loud bedtime, and I hope this trend doesn't go on for too many nights!

We pulled the rhubarb from the yard!  The plant was massive, we baked with about 20 cups already since we moved in, just a couple of stalks at a time, but we got another 18 cups from the harvest. 16 of those cups were washed, chopped, and into the freezer but I made a cake from a new recipe with the other 2 cups, and it was DELICIOUS.

It really didn't last very long, and it was super moist, and just.  Yum.

It's been a little tricky with baking, partly for learning the oven and its idiosyncrasies, partly because my cookbooks are in storage in Alberta :(  I have my box of recipe cards but so many of my favourites are scattered throughout a few different cookbooks.  So I have been using the internet and finding "Well, this looks close" recipes.  So far so good, mostly.  It's an opportunity for finding new favourite recipes I guess. And I do like trying new recipes.

Tomorrow is the start of a new school year for these Littles.  All but 1 are starting another school year, the oldest is scheduled to work.  I can't believe Smarty is done high school already.  So many times this week I have been asked by people when they discover how old my children are "Did you have them when you were 12??"  Blessed with good genes and lots of laughter to keep me young I guess :D

 The beginning of a new year at new schools.  Crazy.  I remember starting in brand new schools a few times.  I can't wait to hear how they do, what they think, the chances they'll have to grow and stretch themselves.

Start of Routines

 Well, it's been another week.  The tire is still holding air.  The dogs are both healthy.  The boys are busy with work. I dyed the under side of the girls' hair and we got pedicures in preparation for the start of the school year next week.  

There was a fun little episode that happened this week.  AC, the adorable huntress, started jumping onto the counter by the kitchen window and stare out and up at something.  Then we would hear a scritch scritch in the wall above the window.  There was some fluttering.  

A quick look outside showed there was a vent in that space, so we decided to assign the task of exploring that to the eldest  Little, Smarty.  The next morning, armed with a screwdriver, he took down the panel on the inside wall above the kitchen window.  There was a screen that was thoroughly pecked away, but thankfully no bird or bird nest.  

However, this evening  both cats have decided to hang out in the Littles' bathroom, eck-ecking at the panel to the outside that matches the one in the kitchen.  I guess they hear things we don't!  We'll have to explore the next panel tomorrow, I suppose.

This morning while Hubby and I were sitting in the yard with a few of the animals, there was a cacophony of noise coming from a block or 2 away.  There are A LOT of huskies around (no real surprise there) but they are soooo chatty.  And this morning there was a lot of chatting between huskies that was audible for BLOCKS!  I was very surprised that my hypervigilant black poodle who thinks she's a guard dog didn't join in the song. 

But in the direction of the huskies, and in the direction of the kennels/doggy-daycare that Sergeant works at, there is a sled dog kennel/tour pace.  When we were dropping Sergeant off at work this afternoon we came across a sign that made me smile and want winter to come.

This is going to be a fun and entertaining winter, I think!  

The Northern Lights have been out; we've seen pictures but haven't had a chance to seen them yet.  I value sleep too much ;)  But it's only a matter of time.  It seems like the more rare occurrence here will be days we don't see them, especially moving into the darker months. When we get pictures you can bet that I'll be posting them <3

This is the last week of summer for the Littles.  The oddest part will be that Smarty isn't starting classes this year, for the first time in 14 years.  In a week he is officially old enough to vote!  When did this happen??

But the younger three are looking forward to meeting some people their age here, starting routines, and figuring out what our time here is going to look like.  I'm working on bi-weekly meal plans to keep things moving along, and keep things homey.  We all do what we can. 

A Little Adventure

When we woke up this morning there was a light layer of ash outside.  Yesterday was a little windy, a little smokey, and the sky all day has been orange and brown.  I have discovered I am part honey-bee; it has made me sleepy and tired.  This weekend has been pretty relaxed and quiet aside from an exciting morning today; we loaded up into the van to drive up Ingraham Trail to see about new places to put a hook in the water.  We just drove, and drove, and drove farther than we have yet.  When we got to where it looked like an ice road is built up towards Tibbitt Lake, after the highway is gravel for a while (we did not go all the way up to Tibbitt Lake Loop), we got out to take a look and explore a little bit.  That exploration did not last long.  Hubby walked around the vehicle as we all left and he heard a hiss.  Yup.  We had a leak.

So, we all got back into the van and drove back to where there was pavement again so we could change the tire.  Keep in mind, we have had this vehicle for a while, and have had 2 others just like it in the past.  When we got out to change the tire we found the jack exactly where we knew we would find it.  We did not find the spare tire where we thought we would find it.  We found an air pump that could plug into the van but no spare tire.  Anywhere.  And there was no owner's manual that came with the vehicle.  And no cell reception anywhere.  

So we pumped the tire up and drove farther down the road until we could get signal enough to call someone, or download the manual, or google where the danged spare tire was in the year our van was made.   When we were about half hour from home we got into a reception zone and with the help of the boys we were able to figure out 1) how to use the sealant that was attached to the air pressure pump. 2) How to get to the spare tire (in the spot that makes soooo little sense! Why mess with the placement of the spare??) .  But it was an adventure, we learned some things, and the tire is still currently holding air!  Miracle of miracles ;)

The rest of the afternoon has been slow, this smoke just zapping my energy.

It has been an interesting week, though!  Both boys started work (Sergeant part-time at a kennel, Smarty at the Humane Society) and they've been enjoying a different kind of busy.  One of the puppies got sick (vet tech said likely kennel cough so that's what we treated her for).  There is a head cold that's making its rounds through the house with varying symptoms for each person.  

There are preparations for construction about half a block away from the house.  I say preparations because they cant just build, they have to blast into the rock, move the rock, then level things enough to keep a house level.

So every once in a while, not every day but some days more than once, we'll hear a horn go off a few times followed by maybe half a minute of silence, then a boom and rumble, then a single horn blast giving the all clear.  Our house gets quite dusty and it explains some of how the house has settled.  And It makes me feel like I'm part of a classic movie. 

Though it isn't as bad as that ;)

We've done some walking/hiking/exploring.  Aside from seeing all the signs reminding people to not drink the water or eat the berries in certain parts of the parks (contamination from a nearby now-closed mine) and signs reminding people to be aware of bears, they've been very pleasant!  We found an Interesting Rock collection that the kids contributed to. 

And so many places that we've fished at (though we've mostly caught nothing) have been so peaceful and serene.

On our drive this morning we saw a black bear in the ditch beside the road too.  So in the vehicle and when we're hiking, we carry bear spray and a bear bell on top of the first aid kit.  Just to be safe,

Only 2 weeks until the three younger Littles start school.  It's hard to believe the summer break is nearly over, but I think the routine is going to be good.  It'll be a social outlet for everyone.

New Beginnings

 We are 2 weeks into our time in Yellowknife!  :)  It has been a very busy time so far, but that will be settling down soon.  The truck with our furniture actually arrived the same day we did, so they unloaded our stuff the same day we took possession of the house.  That was amazing.  

The next day the unpackers came and we started finding homes for all of our thing.  We are still finding homes for all of our things, but at least now everything is out of boxes.  Mostly.  To keep kids busy, we got some of them involved in putting things together and organising their rooms. 

Painting started pretty much right away.  We have learned from past experience that we have to get things done right away after a move instead of making a list for later.  Making lists only sometimes works and most often leads to nothing getting finished.  So we have been a lot more busy than we normally would be with house things.

Lots of walls have been painted.

A replacement fence/gate has been built.

   

 And exploration of the rocks, both near the house and short drives away, has been happening.

Unfortunately, that grey is all smoke.  It's been a very smokey time here so far :(

We arrived here just in time for an air demonstration by the Snowbirds and the Skyhawks!  That was really cool.  Turns out Hubby worked with one of the current Skyhawks and was able to briefly connect with them too.  Such a small world.

Lots of painting was done outside too.  The fence/gate that Hubby and Smarty built, the front porch, the back deck, and the wooden chairs the boys put together.  Everyone pitched in and made it go much faster.

Monkey has discovered that she loves the geography of the area; she loves climbing on the massive rocks that are interspersed with everything else.  Our neighbours gave us their old basketball hoop that will definitely be used.  We have taken a look at a couple of museums here, and have explored so many streets things are starting to become familiar.  All in all, I feel everyone is settling in pretty well so far.  

I am not okay, but I will be

 Hubby told the Littles that I would not be okay; that I would tell everyone that I was fine, but that I definitely would not be fine. He was right.

Smarty graduates from high school this month. His Commencement Ceremony is on Saturday (which is also my birthday, coincidentally) and I was doing pretty alright with everything. I love seeing the people these guys are growing into, I love spending time with them as they experience their world, and I am excited for the lives they are going to create for themselves. But loving the stages they are at doesn't make it better. I am not okay.

I can be happy for the years we've had with everyone so close and still be just so angry that time passed way too quickly.

I can look back with fondness and look forward with excitement and still mourn the loss of slower, simpler times when everyone was smaller.

Last night we went to the end-of-year band concert for the boys. The night before we went to Girlie's final choir concert. We are planning an open house for a way to say goodbye to people. The month is going to fly by fast and before we know it we will be officially changing our address on our licences.

Through all of this I was feeling pretty good, moving things along and focused on doing the next things. Then last night the music teacher asked the grads to stand up, and suddenly I was not okay.

I am okay with everyone growing up. I am okay with transitions and moving and everything that means.

When we were new parents, and I think everyone hears this, we were told to savour the moments, hold onto them, treasure them. And there were moments that weren't treasured, not every moment was sweet and soft and there have been a lot of heavy parenting challenges; we aren't finished with them yet. But what I wish time could slow as we treasured and cherished those years, They didn't and I feel cheated because of it. It sounds cliche but there's truth to the sentiment that things are over in the blink of an eye.

I swear it was just yesterday that I delivered our first baby. I swear it was last night that it was just the boys and us, a couple of toddlers watching Tractor Tom and fighting over the cars. Maybe it was in the wee hours of this morning that we brought our first girl home from the hospital and just a few hours ago that we completed out family and brought Monkey home (after a super quick delivery!).

I am not okay. But I will be. Normal life transitions, echoing the thoughts and feelings of parents everywhere.

We will be okay. And we will continue to treasure our moments.

Exciting Updates!

 We have a few updates! Kittens and momma are doing very well at the home they have been adopted into.  The kittens are starting to open their eyes and Momma Cat is adapting well, loving the new-to-her space and the dogs in the home as well.  She rubs up against and purrs constantly when the dogs, or the humans, are around.  So pleased that they are safe and cared for <3

In other news, the girls had their Confirmation and Affirmation of Faith :)  It was a pleasure to hear them speak about what their faith means to them, how they view faith as is applies to daily living, and how the bits and pieces we have worked so hard to foster and instill into them has come to mean so much for them as they are growing into amazing young women.  

Each girl spoke well and read from their own words about living in a community with others, how they are moved by the hymns, and the ways the Bible has been applicable in how they view the world and the interactions they have in it.  I might have had a few tears in my eyes (maybe it was the pollen in the spring air?) from time to time during the service.

  It was a fantastic morning filled with such affirmations of how much effort we've out into our not-so-little crew and just how fantastic they all are.  It was the first Confirmation hosted for this particular congregation in 14 years; these special people made it super special for everyone there.

Now we are counting weeks and days until the packers come and box up our belongings and we start the next steps of our adventure!