Our Family & Our Life

As I write this, a spring snow storm is blowing outside.  It's hard to watch, I'm so tired of snow but in light of what is happening in Japan and other countries around the world, it's nothing.  Besides, it'll probably be gone tomorrow.  At least Isla was excited to see it this morning and has plans to go make snow angels this afternoon after her nap. Colin has started his new job. He works out of two locations which he wasn't counting on but so be it.  Despite the long commute it's a much better job than the first one.  Normally his drive is about 1 hr 10 mins. each way but the snow slowed even the hardiest Canadian drivers down this morning.  I think my longest commute was 3 hours when I lived in Waterdown and worked in Mississauga.  Overall he's adjusting and learning new things everyday.  The current manager is retiring in June and he'll be taking over so he has the responsibility of picking this guys brain before he leaves and documenting it all.

It's been too long since my last post but by now I'm sure everybody who reads this blog has caught on that I'm just not as diligent in posting as I have been in the past. There have been a number of 'YAY' moments since December: 1. Isla is fully toilet trained; 2. Colin has a full time job; and 3. He has "officially" become a Permanent Resident (PR) as he now has his PR card! Isla ~~ Well, what can I say about the madam.  She's the boss lady of the house  ;-) She'll be 3 next week!  Yes, THREE years old.  Where has my baby gone?  She is now fully toilet trained although we still have the odd accident but they are few and far between.  She usually goes on her own but I like to 'assist' her just so I know she's fully cleaned up, if you know what I mean.  Also, if she gets a bit preoccupied with what she is doing, I may need to remind her but overall she's done excellent.  Thanks to Oma!  Even at night time, no problems.  She

... we had immigration news! Colin recieved the FBI Certificate (clear, no record, phew) which was promptly forwarded to Immigration Canada by the not-so-prompt Canada Post...  Next step, Permanent Residence. The next day he received the Work Permit!  ..... we went to the Rockton World's Fair ! I get a kick out of that name.  If you blinked you'd be through Rockton...  Hardly known to the world... But anyways, it was fun.   It's been years since I was last there and it hasn't changed a bit.  Everything is in the same place. The giant pumpkin contest is neat to see... I think this one was over 700lbs... (the pumpkin, not Isla) Even though we live on a horse farm, she LOVED the sheep, especially BLACK sheep ;-) .... Isla turned 32 months on Sunday.  Four more months and she's 3! For the record (unofficially) she's 29.8 lbs and 36.5 inches tall.  Petite, funny, sweet, active and oh so beautiful! We were at the park this morning to play in the leaves an

I like this time of year....  It's cool, no humidity, the leaves are turning pretty colours and lots of pumpkins... Colin doesn't like it.  Everything is dying and leaves have to be raked up.  Ok, raking leaves is no fun but seriously, it's so refreshing to walk outside... Take a peak: I found a local farmer with a huge field of pumpkins.  She loved running around it and getting all muddy.  I don't care, she had fun and we picked three pumpkins: Daddy pumpkin, Mommy pumpkin and Isla pumpkin!   Oma came with us which made it more fun! The last time Colin was in the UK, he was fortunate enough to go visit family in Ireland for a weekend - yes, one advantage to being separated - and of course he couldn't resist buying something for Isla.  Here she is modelling:  Daddy went to Ireland and all I got was this goofy rugby hat and lovely tshirt! Relaxing together in the warm sun.  I think Colin was taking advantage of the sun as he knew he wasn't  going to see

This blog is sorely neglected. I can't help it, blogging isn't a priority and I just feel like I haven't much to say these days. Colin has left us again and returning ?????  I wish I knew when but sometime this year I guess. A few photos of our joy... She's so beautiful and sweet ... and loves her Daddy so much it breaks my heart they can't always be together ... but we're very thankful for her Oma - what would we do without you? She loves her "2 Omas"... In fact we celebrated great-Oma's 97th happy birthday on the 16th September when this photo was taken. We're praying that we have news soon to report but until then we wait patiently and trust all will happen for our good in His time. 

My favourite "cool" duo together again... Isla was so excited that "Daddy off airplane" on Friday night. Don't get me wrong, I do too of course but she gets soooo excited. Even if it's just for one week, we're all happy together.

We are currently well into week 2 of Colin's visit home and this week he didn't have to work. We've been enjoying spending time together and have stayed close to home other than a trip to Ajax and to my moms. On Saturday we drove out to Andrew's Scenic Acres to pick raspberries but when we got there, they were finished or 90% finished so no raspberries in our freezer this winter. Off to the blueberry field we went and there were loads. Easy picking Isla loved them too .... ... sadly she didn't pick many that ended up in the basket... They also sell flowers - pick and pay per stem. Not cheap either but it was fun. I didn't pick the sunflowers.... ... but wish I had as they are so pretty.... ... and amazing... I love them  - they are sooooo big - especially if you are just over 3 feet tall! Our next trip was down the 401 to Ajax. Aunt Lynn & Uncle Jim made sure we didn't go hungry and cooked up a lovely dinner while Colin provided a pie - bl

Wow, it's been so long since my last post that I almost forgot my blogger log in!! So what's up? Well, first off, a visa update.  A huge weight has been lifted and another prayer answered! Colin qualifies for Canadian permanent residence. YAY - but he can't get the visa yet because we don't have a clear FBI Clearance Certificate.  We have applied for it and praying that we get it within the six weeks Immigration Canada says it takes and not the "up to" 12 weeks the FBI website says it could take.  A bit of stress again as we have to provide it by October to IC and Colin couldn't get his fingerprints done in Brazil which we needed done before we could apply.  Worst case scenario is that we provide a letter explaining the situation but I trust everything will work out in perfect time and we can be a (normal) family unit again by the fall. Isla is doing well.  A month ago she was still 28 lbs but she is getting taller all the time. I was at the mall toda

Happy 143rd (belated) Birthday Canada! You've aged well and I'm so glad we finally get to celebrate with you! May you always remain glorious and free! In other news, Colin is away again.  We dropped him off at the airport last evening and then proceeded to have a teary ride home.  We hope and pray we are nearing the end of the wait for the visa (with favourable outcome of course) and it can't come soon enough.  In the meantime, we are the three muskateers at home - Isla, Pearl and me.  Yes, just us three. While Colin was home, our other furry girl, Dixie, went missing.  We haven't seen her for a week and a half and we miss her so much.   Each time we are outside we call for her and as we drive up and down the road, I'm always scanning the ditches and the corn field for any sign of her.  If you're not a cat person, keep your thougths to yourself - our cats are part of the family and we take their care very seriously.  She was part of our family which is a rea