... or Chasing the Sunset Through the Rockies
Take your pick.
Anyway, we're home. Safe. Sound. Exhausted.
The past two weeks have taken us clear across three and a half provinces and back. It was pretty sweet. Lots of family, a few friends, and of course... each other... SIGHHHH. That was a happy sigh. A cheesy sigh. Sigh.
I have to tell you though that you missed out on some great things.
- family of course
- discussion on how the moon must get so jealous of the sun sometimes and must get tired of the fact that it is reliant on the sun in order to shine. This discussion may or may not pave the way for a children's book titled "Arrogant Sun and the Jealous Moon". It will be very heart-warming.
- lots of Iced Cappucinos
- eating ice cream on a bench with my brother and his wife (expecting a baby one month before us) at Sylvan Lake
- Pluto losing its planet-hood. "Poor pluto". Well, they're not going to convince me. And is anyone else ticked that no one even asked you whether or not they could change THE UNIVERSE? This discussion may or may not pave the way for a children's book titled: "Pluto, the Planet That Was, But Then Wasn't, But Still Is and Will Always Be". Lots of life lessons to be learned.
- stopping at Lake Louise (my first time)
- naming our possible daughter (we already have a boy's name).
I'll give you a hint, it's after the "lost" planet.
Just kidding.
Or am I?
I really do feel bad for Pluto.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
The Storm That Never Was
Agressive clouds loomed over Estevan last night.
They threatened to storm but it was all talk.
This morning I woke to cool rain lifting the summer's heat off my back.
Spooky stares longingly out the window as the splattering of drops echoes around us.
The house is quiet as the earth drinks.
Last night, however, as the clouds hung ominously in the sky, quiet could not be found in the Jocelyn house.
Our night was filled with laughter and conversation. We love our friends and their kids :)
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Estevan
To tell a little more about last week, there was a lot of hustling and bustling to get ready for Keri-Lyn & Alvaro's big day. It was a crazy kind of fun. Pete and I also got to spend lots of quality time with Joy, which was awesome. On Friday, 10-12 members of Alvaro's family arrived from Mexico and we had a huge "welcome luncheon" at Thunders. After that, a bunch of Alvaro's family went to the crossing to start preparing for the rehersal supper. They made us an awesome Mexican feast.
Of course the wedding day came and went way too quickly, and it's hard to believe that now it is another file in the old memory box, but it was a beautiful day. I had my first gig as a wedding photographer, and I think it went pretty well. I'm proud of the outcome anyway. The reception was hot, but the food was sooooooo good especially after running around snapping pictures all day. It was nice to sit and relax and enjoy everyone's company.
And before we knew it, Sunday was here and everyone was heading back to where they came from. We had lunch with a bunch of Peterson's at Kerry & LaVonne's and then suddenly, it was quiet, and it was only Peter, Joy and myself. So we went to the Dairy Dip for some sweet ice cream. I got a double double Boo Boo Bubble (also known as bubble gum ice cream) and it reminded me of when I was little and I would get ice cream with my grandpa at Mouse River Park.
Then Peter and I hit the road toward Regina to catch a bit of Brianne's wedding shower.
Late August is the best time to see the prairies, ribbons of late afternoon sun glowing over golden fields; the horizon, hazy like a faded memory. Weathered barns and farmhouses greet you every odd kilometer, their stories in waiting. The azure sky accented with bright white clouds that you could sleep in; they guide you toward the skyline, neverending.
There is so much more. Pete suggested we stop and take a picture, but sometimes you just need to enjoy moments instead of capturing them so we continued on our way. Of course that moment lasted for hours, the prairies are wide open spaces and this view lasted pretty much the whole drive. But it was so satisfying, I couldn't bring myself to stop.
I visited with my friends; laughed and talked about the baby. Then we made our way toward Estevan, the golden sky disappearing behind us. The deep black night was lit by a myriad of stars.
Fantastic.
We spent yesterday visiting with my mom and my grandma, and then we went out for supper when Randy got home. Stopped for ice cream and visited the new club house at the golf course. I've been spoiling my cat, and she's been enjoying it. Catching up on sleep missed from last week.
Of course the wedding day came and went way too quickly, and it's hard to believe that now it is another file in the old memory box, but it was a beautiful day. I had my first gig as a wedding photographer, and I think it went pretty well. I'm proud of the outcome anyway. The reception was hot, but the food was sooooooo good especially after running around snapping pictures all day. It was nice to sit and relax and enjoy everyone's company.
And before we knew it, Sunday was here and everyone was heading back to where they came from. We had lunch with a bunch of Peterson's at Kerry & LaVonne's and then suddenly, it was quiet, and it was only Peter, Joy and myself. So we went to the Dairy Dip for some sweet ice cream. I got a double double Boo Boo Bubble (also known as bubble gum ice cream) and it reminded me of when I was little and I would get ice cream with my grandpa at Mouse River Park.
Then Peter and I hit the road toward Regina to catch a bit of Brianne's wedding shower.
Late August is the best time to see the prairies, ribbons of late afternoon sun glowing over golden fields; the horizon, hazy like a faded memory. Weathered barns and farmhouses greet you every odd kilometer, their stories in waiting. The azure sky accented with bright white clouds that you could sleep in; they guide you toward the skyline, neverending.
There is so much more. Pete suggested we stop and take a picture, but sometimes you just need to enjoy moments instead of capturing them so we continued on our way. Of course that moment lasted for hours, the prairies are wide open spaces and this view lasted pretty much the whole drive. But it was so satisfying, I couldn't bring myself to stop.
I visited with my friends; laughed and talked about the baby. Then we made our way toward Estevan, the golden sky disappearing behind us. The deep black night was lit by a myriad of stars.
Fantastic.
We spent yesterday visiting with my mom and my grandma, and then we went out for supper when Randy got home. Stopped for ice cream and visited the new club house at the golf course. I've been spoiling my cat, and she's been enjoying it. Catching up on sleep missed from last week.
Monday, August 21, 2006
quick update
We are now here in Estevan with Spooky, my mom and Randy. The wedding was amazing, the day was beautiful and it was great to see so much family. We popped into Brianne's wedding shower in Regina last night and had a quick visit with some of my favourite people. We arrived in Estevan at about 11, exhausted and giddy from the lack of sleep and so much time spent in the car. Luckily my mom was giddy from excitement, so we had a good chat until bed. Spooky has been as cuddly as ever, and she seemed to remember us. As promised, pictures and a bigger update later, I'm off to spend time with my mom.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
We're Safe
We left on Sunday at about 12 o'clock, racing down Highway 17 to try and catch the 1 o'clock ferry. We made it and enjoyed the massage chairs along the way. We hit the open highway and by 8:30 we were at Salmon Arm just in time for me to hop in the van with Grandma Roberts, Tasha, Auntie Susan, Tara, Auntie Penny and meet up with Auntie Cindi and Sarah at Boston Pizza for Roberts' Ladies Night. A good time had by all. After that we came back and Peter and I visited with Grandma and Grandpa until around midnight and then we hit the hay.
Monday morning, up at 5:30AM. For the first time in my life I was at McDonald's for breakfast before it even opened. Saw lots of amazing photo opportunities along the way, but didn't want to make too many stops. The mountains were still towering over us, displaying God's glory as usual. Ate in Taco Bell for the first time in Calgary. Not the best meal ever. I drove from Strathmore to Medicine Hat, the home of Kalan Porter. We stopped at Wal-Mart for windshield washer fluid (the bugs are amazing out here!) and of course to look at gun cases. Back on the road, almost ran out of gas but thankfully the town of Caronport came up a bit sooner than we expected. Enjoyed the Saskatchewan flatlands and the sunset and hit the road again. Arrived at Blair & Melissa's at 9:15 PM, played with Makena, Hudson and Lily. Lily slept with me the whole night, Hudson slept with Peter for most of it.
The next morning Pete and Blair went golfing, I slept until 7:30 and met them at Stan's Roadhouse before taking off for Brandon. Our butts were starting to get sore by this point. Finally arrived in Brandon and got to do a puzzle with our neice Kiara and hold our newest nephew, Kori. And of course visit with Mark and Melissa. Ate a delicious pizza pop (seriously it was good, I haven't had one in years) and a special cupcake that Kiara made for especially for us. Hit the road again, drove through the park and didn't see any wildlife. Arrived in Dauphin and ate a fabulous ham and scalloped potatoe supper. Yummmmmmmmmmm. Went to Tim Horton's with Mom & Dad Roberts, came home and visited, looked at pictures, Pete and Mom R sang and played piano together.
This morning, the boys get up early to go golfing at Clear Lake. LaVonne and I grocery shop for punch for the wedding and scout out photo locations. Lots of stuff to do today, later on tonight we're going to Moon Lake for a smokie cookout.
Pictures will come later, right now I'm lucky that our wireless is picking up signal from the neighbours :)
Monday morning, up at 5:30AM. For the first time in my life I was at McDonald's for breakfast before it even opened. Saw lots of amazing photo opportunities along the way, but didn't want to make too many stops. The mountains were still towering over us, displaying God's glory as usual. Ate in Taco Bell for the first time in Calgary. Not the best meal ever. I drove from Strathmore to Medicine Hat, the home of Kalan Porter. We stopped at Wal-Mart for windshield washer fluid (the bugs are amazing out here!) and of course to look at gun cases. Back on the road, almost ran out of gas but thankfully the town of Caronport came up a bit sooner than we expected. Enjoyed the Saskatchewan flatlands and the sunset and hit the road again. Arrived at Blair & Melissa's at 9:15 PM, played with Makena, Hudson and Lily. Lily slept with me the whole night, Hudson slept with Peter for most of it.
The next morning Pete and Blair went golfing, I slept until 7:30 and met them at Stan's Roadhouse before taking off for Brandon. Our butts were starting to get sore by this point. Finally arrived in Brandon and got to do a puzzle with our neice Kiara and hold our newest nephew, Kori. And of course visit with Mark and Melissa. Ate a delicious pizza pop (seriously it was good, I haven't had one in years) and a special cupcake that Kiara made for especially for us. Hit the road again, drove through the park and didn't see any wildlife. Arrived in Dauphin and ate a fabulous ham and scalloped potatoe supper. Yummmmmmmmmmm. Went to Tim Horton's with Mom & Dad Roberts, came home and visited, looked at pictures, Pete and Mom R sang and played piano together.
This morning, the boys get up early to go golfing at Clear Lake. LaVonne and I grocery shop for punch for the wedding and scout out photo locations. Lots of stuff to do today, later on tonight we're going to Moon Lake for a smokie cookout.
Pictures will come later, right now I'm lucky that our wireless is picking up signal from the neighbours :)
Saturday, August 12, 2006
The Simple Life
"Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:7-8
This passage makes it seem really simple. How is it, then, that I continually find myself confused with what God wants us to do? One week I will feel passionately about it; I feel as though I understand what he's saying and I feel driven to live as though I believe it. The next week I find myself apathetic, confused, unsure... is it spiritual immaturity or human nature?
Is Kierkegaard right when he says:
"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself accordingly."?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind."
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus says if we do these things then we will live. Seems pretty simple to me. How do I keep confusing it?
"My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world?... Dreadful is it to fall into the hands of the living God." (Kierkegaard)
I don't have any answers, and my questions may also be weak, but this is something I've been turning around in my heart for the last month. Maybe the reality is that I've been turning them around in my head instead of following what God has written on my heart.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Ageless Beauty
Frustrations of the week:
1) So a few years ago, Peter, Blair & I used to pretend not to watch e-Talk daily. But really we did. It came on right after Who's Line Is It Anyway. We always hated it, but continued to watch anyway. One of those guilty pleasure things I think. So, right now I'm pretending that I didn't just watch e-Talk daily and I didn't just see them talking about bands like Stars, Broken Social Scene, Tegan and Sara, and dare I say, Death Cab for Cutie. I mean, is nothing sacred anymore? I don't want to come across as one of those music snobs who always says "I liked their old stuff better" or who is always trying to prove how much they know about music, but seriously, love for Death Cab began in 11th grade and now to see that they get a few "mentions" on the OC and suddenly have instant fame. Some cool TV show tells the masses what is cool and suddenly something you love is exploited and torn from you. Dramatic maybe, but I don't like liking things that somebody "cool" on TV tells me to like. It makes me feel like a lemming. So what do you do when something that you loved before somebody on TV told everyone it was cool and exploited the snozzberry out of it? I guess you write a blog about it and feel grateful that these things don't really matter anyway.
2) I read once that there is a special kind of irritation to having your name spelled incorrectly. So to all of those who think they know how to spell my name, but clearly don't, it's spelled as such:
C-H-E-L-S-E-Y.
There is not a single "A" in my first name. Remember it.
Non-Frustrations of the Week:
1) Hanging out with my daycare kids. Man, they are sweet. They love the baby, they love my flannel stories, and they love my sweet songs. Maybe I should introduce them to Death Cab.
2) New camera.
3) Best husband ... EVER.
4) Ultrasound yesterday. The babe gave us thumbs up. Pretty sweet.
5) Today was my last day of work before leaving to see a ton of family.
6) Pete didn't practice elk calling too much.
7) Hung out with James Davies. Those other people that were there were pretty sweet too.
8) Yesterday I went to a brilliant used bookstore and hung out with James, Josh and Peter. Good moments driving in the afternoon sun singing along to an unnamed band (that was named a couple of times above).
9) Internet is working right now, I am able to post this blog.
So I went into greater detail with the frustrations. But there are way more non-frustrations. You don't really need the details to appreciate them.
1) So a few years ago, Peter, Blair & I used to pretend not to watch e-Talk daily. But really we did. It came on right after Who's Line Is It Anyway. We always hated it, but continued to watch anyway. One of those guilty pleasure things I think. So, right now I'm pretending that I didn't just watch e-Talk daily and I didn't just see them talking about bands like Stars, Broken Social Scene, Tegan and Sara, and dare I say, Death Cab for Cutie. I mean, is nothing sacred anymore? I don't want to come across as one of those music snobs who always says "I liked their old stuff better" or who is always trying to prove how much they know about music, but seriously, love for Death Cab began in 11th grade and now to see that they get a few "mentions" on the OC and suddenly have instant fame. Some cool TV show tells the masses what is cool and suddenly something you love is exploited and torn from you. Dramatic maybe, but I don't like liking things that somebody "cool" on TV tells me to like. It makes me feel like a lemming. So what do you do when something that you loved before somebody on TV told everyone it was cool and exploited the snozzberry out of it? I guess you write a blog about it and feel grateful that these things don't really matter anyway.
2) I read once that there is a special kind of irritation to having your name spelled incorrectly. So to all of those who think they know how to spell my name, but clearly don't, it's spelled as such:
C-H-E-L-S-E-Y.
There is not a single "A" in my first name. Remember it.
Non-Frustrations of the Week:
1) Hanging out with my daycare kids. Man, they are sweet. They love the baby, they love my flannel stories, and they love my sweet songs. Maybe I should introduce them to Death Cab.
2) New camera.
3) Best husband ... EVER.
4) Ultrasound yesterday. The babe gave us thumbs up. Pretty sweet.
5) Today was my last day of work before leaving to see a ton of family.
6) Pete didn't practice elk calling too much.
7) Hung out with James Davies. Those other people that were there were pretty sweet too.
8) Yesterday I went to a brilliant used bookstore and hung out with James, Josh and Peter. Good moments driving in the afternoon sun singing along to an unnamed band (that was named a couple of times above).
9) Internet is working right now, I am able to post this blog.
So I went into greater detail with the frustrations. But there are way more non-frustrations. You don't really need the details to appreciate them.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Baby Chronicles
It might have been all the sugar that I had, but the baby was the most active yesterday to date. It bounced around in there all day long, especially when we went to the movie (I guess it likes Will Ferrell flicks). When we got home the baby was kicking so strongly that Peter was able to feel it for the first time.
I love it when you are so happy that you can't help but laugh. Last night was one of those moments. Just laying there, feeling my little baby kick and punch me all night long made me smile, made me laugh, kept me from being able to sleep.
I love it when you are so happy that you can't help but laugh. Last night was one of those moments. Just laying there, feeling my little baby kick and punch me all night long made me smile, made me laugh, kept me from being able to sleep.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
July photo blog
Nickie & I at the top of Mt. Tolmie
Kori & Lisa Jones with us at the top of Mt. Doug
Our twin fawns.
LaFawnduh
Me + Baby @ 15 weeks
Me + Baby @ 17 weeksTuesday, August 01, 2006
update
Okay so now even Blair is blogging more than me. I never would've thought that could be possible. The only real reason for my lack of blogs is that I'm thinking too much (and not writing) and our internet sporadically will disconnect and we'll be too lazy to fix it for a few days.
So perhaps some of you would like an update.
It's not hot here anymore. It's actually kind of chilly. Yesterday and today I wore a sweater. I love sweaters though and I'll still wear one at 17 degrees. So maybe that doesn't say much, but the heat is gone that's for sure.
We're leaving in a little under two weeks to come to the Prairies to see the families. Loooooooookinggggg forward to it.
Today I turned 18 weeks pregnant. I felt the baby move for the first time on Saturday night. I was a little unsure if it really was the baby but then last night I felt it for sure. I had a doctor's appointment today and our baby has one strong heart that's for sure. It was so loud today. Sounds like it's working pretty well. Our next ultrasound is next week.
Hmmm what else do you want to know about? I don't think my thoughts on The Irresistable Revolution are going to formulate into a blog any time soon but maybe I'll post some of Ronald Sider's thoughts from his book "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger". His sentences are better than mine anyway.
So perhaps some of you would like an update.
It's not hot here anymore. It's actually kind of chilly. Yesterday and today I wore a sweater. I love sweaters though and I'll still wear one at 17 degrees. So maybe that doesn't say much, but the heat is gone that's for sure.
We're leaving in a little under two weeks to come to the Prairies to see the families. Loooooooookinggggg forward to it.
Today I turned 18 weeks pregnant. I felt the baby move for the first time on Saturday night. I was a little unsure if it really was the baby but then last night I felt it for sure. I had a doctor's appointment today and our baby has one strong heart that's for sure. It was so loud today. Sounds like it's working pretty well. Our next ultrasound is next week.
Hmmm what else do you want to know about? I don't think my thoughts on The Irresistable Revolution are going to formulate into a blog any time soon but maybe I'll post some of Ronald Sider's thoughts from his book "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger". His sentences are better than mine anyway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)