It's always sad to see Lindsay, Jeremy and Connor return to Fort McMurray after Christmas, but I remember too well those days of travelling and just wanting to get back to your own home and beds. It's particularly tough when you don't spend the whole "vacation" in the same house. This year holds something extra special to look forward to, as the Stecyks have made the big decision to move closer to their old home area. Sometime this spring they will be moving to Edmonton! But first that new grandson has to be born. We are expecting him the first week of February.
The last few days of 2013 we spent with Don working, trying to get some prep work up north completed, and watching Blake in a hockey tournament. He had a great showing, and it is hard to believe that little skater, shooter and scoring dynamite is the same boy we watched learn to skate, when making it across the ice for a drink of water was an achievement.
On December 30, after his last game, we brought all the Cameron kids home for a sleepover. It was Reese's first one with us, and it went well. Actually incredible. She had a great time and you couldn't wipe the smile off her face. We had 2 movie and popcorn days, but our plans of attending Stony Plain's celebrations on New Years Eve were put aside as the weather was horrid, and Blake was exhausted, hence an ear infection and fever set in. But we still had a great 2 days and made some new memories. I can't wait for the Stecyks to join us in sleepovers. I wonder if I should have all 5 at one time, and if Don will stay home for that?!
On January 2 Don headed up north to his job. He has about 30 days to get in this winter, and hopefully allowing for weather, equipment challenges, etc. he will be completed around February 10.
On January 5 I stayed overnight at the Cameron's (thanks to Em for sharing her bed with me) and then on Monday morning headed up to Fort Mac to spend the week with the Stecyks. I will miss the long visits when they move closer, but will appreciate seeing them more. We had a great week, I watched Connor a couple of times while Lindsay took care of some appointments, and they treated me to a visit to my favorite spa, as well as a couple of meals out. I am going to miss many aspects of Fort McMurray, and I must say this spa is one of them. Thanks Stecyks for sharing your home with me over the last 7 years. It seems that I was always bunking there, using a vehicle, or hanging out, and I always loved it.
As expected at some point during his venture in the north, Don had an equipment breakdown, which shortened his first shift and I benefited by being able to ride home with him on Friday, rather than the Red Arrow bus.
We had a fun visit with the Camerons today. I sure find it hard with Blake in Grade 1 to see him as much, so we took supper to them and the kids had their opportunity to jump on Grandpa for a while!
Don heads back north for 2 weeks on Monday, and I am popping back on the 22nd for a few days, as Lindsay's due date is getting close and Jeremy needs to go out of town for work.
So getting to our upcoming guests - Darrell and Shirley Hueser are coming for a few days for medical appointments, and then my Uncle Michael, Aunt Doreen and cousin Diane are coming the next week for a few more. I will appreciate the company as Don toils away, although I must say this winter I have been more at peace with being at home than usual.
So our January is passing and we are dealing with the snow, rain and weather changes as Canadians do. We are planning our southern trip on the maps, and today I started routing our Yellowknife trip too. We are a bit restless to get going, but also excited for the move and baby coming. There is no need to rush through these days.
Although I don't share much of my yoga, meditation, exercise life, this is a quote that reminds us not to rush life...
The ultimate challenge in life is to neither allow our fantasies to bring us too much suffering nor to prevent us from living fully.
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