So Long...

Let me introduce to you a group of fabulous people who have become family to me. This is our Mentoring Group. We meet every Wednesday evening to dig deeper into our knowledge of the bible.

When I dug deeper into the true meaning of the word mentor this is what I found...

Mentor... a wise and trusted councelor or teacher, someone who guides another to greater success over a period of time.

So now let me introduce to you the Mentor of our group, Pastor Lanre. Pastor Lanre has been teaching the group for about 5 years. I have only had the priviledge of his knowledge for about 6 months. In those 6 months I have had my eyes open to so many truths that I didn't think I would learn this side of heaven. For the last couple of months we've known our time with them is limited. Today Pastor Lanre, his lovely wife Yinka and daughter Oyinka (I'm sure I spelled that wrong!) leave us and return to their home in Nigeria. We've had many farewells over the past couple of weeks that left most of us with damp tissues. As this amazing family leaves, they take a piece of my heart with them. I will never forget them or the impact they have made on my life. Pastor Lanre not only guided us to greater success. He has encouraged and at times challenged us to not remain where we are. Our life here is a journey. A journey that takes us to the highs and lows of life. But one of the lessons he leaves me with is to continually press forth up the mountain. From the bottom of the mountain everything looks huge and unattainable. Once your feet make their way toward the summit, things that may have tripped you on your ascent seem small in comparison from the height where you are now standing. Even the valleys only seem like a ripple when you are on top. I know he has touched each and every one of us in our group. And like a ripple the effect he had on us will carry on and on. We will truly miss their family but am blessed for having met them, even for a short while.

:: Lately ::

So after a year on the waiting list, Evan finally secured a spot in the tennis lessons offered here. Kieran has been playing for quite some time which made Evan all the more anxious to start his lessons. He did well for his first lesson. He managed to serve the ball successfully and also learnt the backhand. A pro, he is not yet but, he is having fun!

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Also new to Evan this year is the pantomime. Last year when we arrived he did audition for the play Cinderella. But unfortunately, he was hit with a huge case of stage fright and he declined auditioning. This year, however he was eager to get on the stage. His audition went well and he was offered the part of a lost boy in the play, Peter Pan. He is loving it so far. It is a huge commitment with rehearsals taking up 2 or 3 evenings of the week. His part along with a few other lost boys contains dancing, singing, and learning where to be on the stage. I think it is a huge confidence builder. It is great seeing him expressing his creative juices.

Hopping Hilarious!

Speaking of school days... I thought I'd share a funny story that happened to us this morning. Evan starts school at 7:30 each morning. We are usually flying into the car in hopes that we make it in time. So like most mornings I told Evan to grab his shoes and put them on in the car. So as he was slipping his foot into his shoe he thought a rock was in it. So as he tipped out his shoe, out hopped a frog. Bear in mind I was already driving. This frog was making it's way throughout the car looking for the exit. I pulled over and craned my head under the seat hoping to spot our hopper. I found him and flicked him out of the car and carried on in fits of laughter! Too funny!

School Days

This post was originally titled, "First Day of School." However, since I am a little over a week late you are getting a recap of the first week of school. The above photos were taken on the first day of school and we were might proud parents that day. Our boys scrubbed up well, and I must say my big boy is looking more like a handsome man these days. Evan has settled back into the swing of things at his school. He has had many play dates catching up with friends.

Today Rob and I went up to Kieran's school for a meet the teacher BBQ. As many of you know Kieran was home schooled last year. So here is a bit of a tour of his current school. The school is about an hour from our house. He has a driver that 4 other students share that pick him up each morning and return him at the end of the day. As with any new situation I think it is the Mom that worries the most. I am so thankful that he has adapted so well to his new school. In fact, he loves it. It is a big school that has a college feel to it. He loves that he goes from class to class and is learning the layout of his new school. In the top left photo is the canteen. This is where he goes for lunch each day. Most of the school has an open air feel with many of the facilities outdoors. There is a swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts, and most recently a music building. There are many activities that they can choose from in the after school program. This term he has chosen basketball and squash. So after quite a trying year for him last year, I am so glad that he finally enjoying life in Brunei.

The Shooting Range

While Kieran was back in Canada for his holiday he was able to try his hand at skeet shooting. As I said in a previous post, he was unusually good at it. So while we were all home he was eager to take us to the shooting range to show us his skills. He shot about 100 rounds that day and had a sore shoulder to prove it. The gun was a bit big for Evan but, he had never shot a real gun before. It was hilarious when the kick from the recoil of the gun almost knocked him off his feet. He was still a happy boy to have tried it.

Before going home, Kieran and Rob had a face off. Kieran left his dad in the dust. The scores were 15/25 for Kieran and 7/25 for Rob. As you can see in the bottom photo we had an expert scorekeeper so there was no discrepancy in the tally!

Kieran's Hockey Camp

For many years both of my boys have been lovers of hockey. We spent countless early mornings with my mittens around a warm cup of coffee. If I'm casting a dim light on hockey that is not my intention. Don't get me wrong, when the 5am alarm goes off on a Saturday morning I do drag myself from my cozy bed. However, now that we are living in a country that is so hot hockey is not possible, I truly miss it. As have my boys. So this summer and for the past few summers Kieran has spent a whole week at a hockey camp. This is the ideal camp for him as they eat, sleep, and play hockey. He loves everything about this camp and I love the smile it brings to his face. We went to his final game and it was so great to watch. I love watching him think on the ice. He is great on his skates but, his head is always on the game. I don't know the final score, nor do I care. In my opinion the joy I get from seeing my boy doing what he loves is worth more than any number on the scoreboard.

Many Miles...

This year Rob and I celebrated 15 years of marriage. So while we were back in Canada we took a road trip just the two of us through the Rockies. I've driven this road as a child but, at that time I'm sure I didn't appreciate the beauty. The first day we drove as far as my hometown, Kamloops. Then the next morning we headed to Calgary to spend a couple of days at my sister's place. We were also able to fit a visit in with one of Rob's friends. We spent most of our time there enjoying the food and the shopping. Both felt like a luxury as the selection in Brunei is certainly limited in that department.

On our way back we stopped for lunch in Banff. I love that town. It is filled with quaint shops surrounded by the splendor of the mountains. There was a farmer's market on that day. We grabbed an elk hotdog, BC peaches, and raspberries and had a picnic by the lake. It was a lovely afternoon!

At the tail end of our trip we again boarded the ferries to take up back home to The Beautiful Vancouver Island. The ferry ride is a love hate relationship with us islander's. Waiting in the ferry line ups is never fun. However, there is nothing more beautiful than taking in the view on a sunny day on board the ferry. This is where I truly appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

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In our 15 years of marriage we have travelled many miles together, both by foot and with our hearts. When we met we were so young and didn't know where our path would take us. Today we have past through many stages of life. Stages that have molded us into who we are today. It is still an ongoing journey. A journey where at times the road winds causing you to not know what is around the corner. Other times we have a hill to climb. But like any mountain when you reach the top the view is outstanding. Who doesn't love driving down a mountain with the wind in their face? For me our road trip was very symbolic of miles we have traveled together. And who knows what is around the bend... The best is yet to come!

Feeding the Wild

On the way back from our road trip, the boys and I stayed a few days at my Dad's house. They live in a beautiful rural setting in Sooke, BC. One of the things the boys love to do at their house is spent hours in the pool swimming with their dog Molly. But this time during our stay the neighbourhood pets were more on the wild side. Each evening as Val was feeding her duck the deer would come and eat the feed right at the gate. As long as you didn't give any eye contact the deer would stand at your side. It was amazing to see something so wild up close. I think this is a memory the boys will have for quite some time.

Catching Up!

After the reunion we headed to my hometown of Kamloops, BC. This is the city that I grew up in until the age of 18 when I met my husband. Evan's best friend that he has known since kindergarden moved there a couple of years ago. Without giving them any notice we rung there doorbell. The look on Sebastian's face was priceless. They are still great friends who continue playing as if they saw each other yesterday.

Later that night it was my turn to catch up with my dear friend Elaine. Elaine and I went to high school together. She is the only one I am still in touch with from school and she means the world to me. We've grown up together, travelled together, and are always there to laugh or cry on each other's shoulder. A good friend is a true blessing. So glad I can call her my friend!

:: Siblings ::

Time for a quick introduction... Like I said earlier we had a few spare moments to update our family photos. So in the above photo is my little brother James, his future wife Crystal, and the cute kids are Genelle and Haley. We had a great time catching up with them. Evan especially loves to hang out with Genelle.

Next is my little sister Alison and her family, John and Tristan. It was great to see them again. We live so many miles apart that I don't get the chance to see them all that often. It was so nice to catch up!

While at the reunion there were a few old photos from my Dad's side of the family on display. One of the pictures I loved was a picture of my Dad and his 2 brother's and his sister. The photo was taken while they were all young adults. So we decided to take a similar photo of our own. So here is me with all my siblings. Unlike my Dad's siblings where there were 3 boys and a girl, we are the opposite...3 girls and a lovely lad!

Time for Family

Prior to the last dinner at our family reunion the entire group gathered for the updating of our family photos. The reunion was held in 100 Mile House, BC. This is definitely cowboy country, filled with rolling hills of beauty. The view from the resort was amazing, so while we were waiting for our branch of the family photo to be taken we took a moment to capture our own photos.

I love this photo of my sister Jamie and I. We are so much closer now than when we were going through our "sibling rivalry" as kids. We are different in so many ways but, our heartstrings are tied tight. I am the older of the two of us and may have paved the way for her to a point but, she has taught me many things that cause me to stop and strive to be more like her. We shared many laughs and heart to heart chats of where life has us at the moment. Each of us has a journey of our own, unique to what we have been dealt. I'm thankful that I have a sister and a friend who knows me in and out. Someone I can share the deepest places of my heart. She has seen the path my feet have taken me in the past. I hope the lessons I've learned will make her journey slightly smoother. Love you Sis!

Horse Play

While we were away at our family reunion, of the several activities you could choose from we decided to give horseback riding a try. I am usually quite afraid of horses. Unlike a car, horses to me are a huge vehicle that I have no control over. I feel at their mercy as I hover way to high above the ground. Anyway, my kids love horses. So stiffling my phobia was the card I had to play. I will save the introductions of all my siblings to my next post.

Kieran hit it off with a couple of his cousins he hadn't seen in awhile, so he joined their family on the second ride of the day. So as I mounted my horse (whose name has totally slipped my mind) I asked our guide if there were enough of the "kiddy horses" for me to have one. She was lovely and assured me I had a friendly one! And she was right. Not only was my horse friendly, he was self-propelling. I could have sat in the saddle with the reins at my side because my horse was a gentleman and led the way. The ride was about an hour long. It was lovely to my surprise. At the summit of the hill we climbed was a beautiful meadow filled with wild flowers. I have a few sights that I have committed to my memory in the case that I would lose my sight, and this was one of them. I could have laid myself down in the midst of that meadow and lost track of the day. Evan I must say seems like a natural on the horse. He was near the lead of the pack and kept getting his horse to trot. Which in turn made the horses following to catch up. We laughed so much as we nearly bounced ourselves out of the saddle. So much fun!!

Embury Family Reunion

This summer while we were home we were lucky enough to have a family reunion from my Dad's side of the family. The Embury reunion happens every 3 years and it is always a blast. For me it was great to get all my visiting done in one place. Some of the activites that took place were a crib tournament, a golf tournament, horseback riding (more on that to come), an auction where one's persons junk was anothers treasure (really fun!!) and we ended with an amazing dinner. This spanned a total of 3 days. Like all families we are such a mix of character's and personalities. I really enjoyed sharing the weekend with each and every one of my family members. Looking forward to the next BIG event...

:: Just Like Home ::

This morning the jet lag woke me at the ungodly hour of 5am. My flesh is screaming to stay in bed but, my mind is wide awake. So in saying that, it gives me a perfect opportunity to catch up my the back load of posts for my blog.

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As my sister and I were growing up there was a special treat that we awoke to early on a Saturday morning. Now I'm sure this wasn't a weekly event but, I will go as far as my memory will let me to say this happened monthly. My mom has an extreme talent for making the best cinnamon buns! This particular weekend our family was once again all together. In the past years we would always try to guilt my mom into indulging us in her fresh from the oven buns. I'm not really sure if time just didn't allow, or maybe replicating our childhood memories were too daunting. While we were home this summer we awoke to the aroma of that old familiar smell permeating from the kitchen. It is funny how sounds, and particularly smells can transcend us back to fond memories. I have in the past taken a memory lane tour of where I grew up. As a child you view your surroundings with rose colored glasses. I found as I revisited my childhood neighborhood that I was disappointed. The memories I had as a child paled in comparison to the reality that stood before me. The cinnamon buns we devoured were as good as I remember. I won`t tell you the amount we ate, nor can I believe that I am posting a photo of me first thing in the morning. What I can tell you was that this was the perfect way for my mom to fill my soul with all things from home, which was what our visit back to Canada was all about!