Hockey Tourney

We headed up to Campbell River for Kane's last hockey tournament of the 2015/2016 season. I have to say there's not many cuter things I can picture than those little timbits skating around the ice!  Kane is #2 on the teal team and wearing black socks.

He shoots...

He scores...

I love every moment I get to spend with my nephews and I cherish it deeply.

Our new furry family member

I would like to introduce our new family member Smudge, who has chosen our home as his forever family.  Smudge showed up here a few years ago along with about 3 other ferrel cats.  Our neighbour was feeding them before we arrived and we helped in the feeding until our neighbour moved and we became the main residence of these furry friends.  "Little Grey" as he was known quickly became our favourite as he was gentle and so darn cute.  Little Grey took a serious liking to Aaron and it became a daily routine for Aaron to give him some cuddles out on the back sundeck.  Aaron was in the back doing his daily snuggle routine and noticed there was a gash on Little Grey's neck.  So off to the vet Aaron & Little Grey went.  The vet tracked down Little Grey's owner form the tattoo in his ear and we discovered Little Grey's name was Smokey.  The home number was no longer in service but there was an address on file, so Aaron went to their house and indeed they were Smokey's owners, but they hadn't seen him in 6 years as he had run away.  They now have a new furry family and weren't prepared for Smokey.  Something needed to be done about the gash on his neck so the owner's gave over responsibility of Smokey to us.  So Smokey was tended to by the vet and we put him back outside.  Each day we would have him come in the house and get some food and spend some time with Koloa and Ilo to see if he would be able to transition to being an indoor cat and joining our family.

It didn't take long and we knew he wasn't leaving!  We changed his name to Smudge and adopted him. 

Smudge and Koloa quickly became BFFs, although Ilo is still taking his time on that front.

Unfortunately his neck injury has been a challenge with several trips to the vet, but with determination, patience, and lots of love and cuddles it has completely healed.

He's a very loving affectionate cat, and we are so happy that he chose us to be his forever family.  We love you smudge!

Now I better get to sweeping up all the cat hair tumbleweeds...

Maui 2016

Recently Aaron I headed south for a 10 day retreat in Maui, where we could begin our healing process as we work through the loss of our Amy.  It was a very restful time and we are so appreciative we had the opportunity to get away, which we desperately needed.

Aaron picking citrus.

Me picking papaya. 

I found this gem, which is one of my favourite books, and I absolutely love this translated version!  We did A LOT of reading!

 We didn't get out and about much but did make it to Lahaina for a day of exploration.  Have to sit near the banyan tree:)

 Aaron went out snorkeling a couple of times near Makena, and I enjoyed a book on the beach.

Then it was back home to reality and the realization we need to slow down and make time to get away more often.  Now it's back to our usual routine and the long road of healing...

Convocation 2015

Well the day finally arrived... After 5 very intense semesters I completed my Master of Social Work Indigenous Specialization!  It was two days of celebration, and I was very blessed to have family and friends to celebrate with.

The first day Aaron, my Dad, Elizabeth, and Aunti Diana were there to celebrate my achievement with me, for the formalities of Convocation.

The second day of celebrations was the Indigenous Recognition Ceremony for Aboriginal students, which also happens to be my favourite part, because it is much more intimate and you can invite more than 3 people!  This time my family along with my friends Laura and Sarah joined us for the celebrations.

 

I have so much love and gratitude for the support of my family and friends while I worked through this degree, for their patience with my pretty much disappearing for a year and a half.  My greatest thank you goes to Aaron for standing beside me on the ups and downs and really being the rock I could lean on whenever I needed to.

Remembrance Day Ceremony 2015

For the past several years I have had the privilege of accompanying my Gramps to the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Alberni.  Sadly we said goodbye to my Gramps June 27, 2015, so our annual tradition has shifted.  I was asked to lay the wreath on behalf of my Gramps, which was an honour and the greatest gift I could have received, as it recognized and honoured the time we shared together.  It was a very emotional day for me and a day in which I found myself saying my goodbyes to him in the spirit of a celebration of life.

Every year the weather has been very unpredictable, we have had rain and snow, but never sunshine.  Well this year the sun shone brightly!  It felt like Gramps was right there with me, and letting me know.

We arrived in Port Alberni a little early and went down to the Quay where the Merchant Navy Memorial rests.  When we first arrived there was no one around, and I had a moment to peacefully share my thoughts and send love to my Gramps.

We headed to the gymnasium for the ceremony, where I laid the Merchant Navy wreath.

When the Merchant Navy was called to lay their wreathe the master of ceremonies announced the wreath was being laid in memory of Peter Anderosov, and being laid by his grand daughter, which I will say made for a blurry walk as my eyes were full of tears.

A few people came up to me afterward acknowledging my role in the ceremony, which made my cup runneth over.

It wasn't the same as watching my Gramps lay the wreath, but I felt his presence very strongly and I would swear he was walking there right beside me.

This picture is from the first year Gramps and I went to the ceremonies.

This is the last picture I have of Gramps shortly before he passed away. Love you and miss you Gramps!