Home Sweet Home

Here's a quick summary:

I am finally getting around to blogging about our trip to Nova Scotia this summer. 18 Glorious Days!!! I wish that I could spend every summer there. We had such a great time. Getting there was an adventure. Flying with 2 kids is not the easiest, we had a lot of things go wrong and we did a lot of running through the airports. I thought back to my earlier blog entry back in March when I flew back to Canada alone and sat and read my book and enjoyed my time. This trip was the complete opposite. We almost missed both our flights, it took us over an hour to clean customs, Air Canada lost my car seat. I will say this though, there is no better airline than Air Canada. They were so helpful when they saw that I was traveling with little ones. Plus, they have TVs on the chair backs with recent movies and tv shows. We watched "How to Train Your Dragon" and I watched "Date Night" while Emma slept.

When we got to Halifax, we stayed at my sister's house over night, I had forgotten how much I hate humidity. It was so gross, I took a shower the next morning and felt so hot and sticky within 10 minutes. We drove to Cape Breton and that's where the fun began. It really doesn't matter where I live, Cape Breton is home and it feels like home and when I am there, it feels like I never left.

We went to the beach. Braxton can now say that he has gone swimming in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The kids played with cousins, EVERYDAY!!! I think that is what they enjoyed the most about the trip, I really liked it too. I saw some wonderful friends, family and spent a lot of time with my sisters. I was there for 10 days and then Ryan arrived. I then had to play tour guide. We went to the Fortress of Louisbourg which is an 18th century French Fortress, we played in the ocean, we had the best pizza in the world, I had girl's night out. We spent a night in Ingonish with most of my family, it was so beautiful there. It's so hard to get all nine of us siblings together, there were 7 of us in Ingonish. We stayed at these cute cabins, played at the beach, ate lot of food, played games and had such a great time. I think that was the highlight of our trip. Spending time with family is what it's all about. After Ingonish, we drove around parts of the Island, Cape Breton is called Nova Scotia's Masterpiece for a reason. It is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I was able to take Ryan and the kids to North River, where my grandparents grew up. We visited my Papa's grave, we ate seafood at a restaurant that had an incredible view of the water. We spent a day in Halifax and visited the Citadel and the waterfront. We decided the next time we go, we will spend a few extra days in Halifax and maybe visit Prince Edward Island. I cannot wait to go back. Being there makes me realize how much I miss it there. I am happy that the kids loved it there, Braxton keeps asking when we are going back.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kindred Spirits

Anne tipped the vase of apple blossoms near enough to bestow a soft kiss on a pink-cupped bud, and then studied diligently for some moments longer. "Marilla," she demanded presently, "do you think that I shall ever have a bosom friend in Avonlea?"

"A--what kind of friend?"

"A bosom friend--an intimate friend, you know--a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul. I've dreamed of meeting her all my life. I never really supposed I would, but so many of my loveliest dreams have come true all at once that perhaps this one will too. Do you think it's possible?"

--Anne of Green Gables, LMM

Yes Anne, it is possible!!! When I was in first grade, we got a new girl in our class. Her name was Kathleen MacPhee. Imagine my joy when I found out that this little girl moved in a house just down the street from me. I could see her house from our bathroom window. My sister, Melissa and I went down for a visit and it was there that I found my kindred spirit. Since, first grade, Kathleen and I were the best of friends. We played together every day after school and had sleep overs every weekend. I cherish my childhood memories because there aren't too many of those memories that do not include Kathleen. We both wanted to be veterinarians, writers, artists and start our own band and book publishing company. We were going to call it ABC Paperback. We loved books, animals and music. I know that my appreciation for good music is because of my mom and because of Kathleen. We used to sit on her front lawn and have a picnic and listen to our music. We were outside all the time. Kathleen and I were/are like sisters. We have shared some of the happiest, craziest and even heart breaking moments of our lives together. We may not live next door to each other, but I know she is always there for me.

Kathleen with her cat, Skitter, when she was 8 years old

While I was in Canada this summer, Kathleen drove to Nova Scotia to see me one weekend. We hadn't seen each other in 12 year. 12 YEARS!!!! I was so excited to see her, I was almost giddy. It was one the things that I was looking the most forward to since I found out she was coming to visit. We had such a fun weekend, we had a sleepover at my mom's house and she got to spend time with Braxton and Emma. It didn't seem like it was 12 years, it felt like we still lived down the street from each another. Even though we are both older, married, with 2 kids each, she is still my kindred spirit, my friend whom I can confide my inmost soul. She knows me and my heart.

PS: I love the above picture of Kathleen. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one is the perfect one to describe who she is.

A Quick Summary

Some pictures:

Mom and I stopped at Mother Webb's on the way to Sydney. It is a restaurant that is half-way between Halifax and Cape Breton. I have been having dreams of this place, they serve some good down-home Nova Scotia cooking.

The Canso Causeway, the gateway to Cape Breton Island. Why did I ever leave this place? The Seal Island Bridge (almost home)

The BEST pizza in the world.

Well, on March 16th, I stood at the airport in Denver getting ready to hug my husband and children. I am sure that the folks in the security line thought I was crazy with my sobbing and tears. Let's just say I will not ever leave them again on purpose. When my plane got to Chicago, it was 1/2 early. So, I had a 3.5 hour layover!!!! At first I thought I would be bored, but then I realized something, I was all alone. It felt strange, but then as I opened my book and read without anyone saying, "Mom..." or anyone needing their diaper changed, it felt so right. I wished my family was there, but I am not going to lie to you, having these 3.5 hours of "me time" was so nice. I ate my Twizzlers and read (how spoiled am I?)

I arrived in Halifax, I was teary-eyed again. I also get that way when I see the "Welcome to Canada" sign and the nice customs agents tells me "Welcome Home, Dear". I was also very excited to see my mom waiting for me on the other side of the door when I came out of customs. We stayed the night at my sister, Mellena's house. We stayed up and laughed until almost 3am. We headed to Sydney the next morning. When we got to the island, I looked out the window and noticed the water, it was looked so great. I knew that it was freezing cold, but I had an urge to just jump in, I really miss that. I can't wait to go back in July so I can swim in the ocean.

I was home for 11 days. I was able to spend time with my family and my friends. I got to know my nieces and my nephew and had soo much fun with them. I had girl's night out. One evening we stayed up really late and ate junk food and laughed, that really made it worth leaving my family in Colorado.

My mom made all my favorite meals, she baked bread and we stayed up late and talked. I ate alot of yummy Canadian candy. (I heart you, Cadbury).

By the time Day 10 rolled around, I was so ready to come back to Colorado. I really missed Ryan and the kids. I am so grateful for Shelley. She took care of my family and home while I was gone. I was sure that Braxton wouldn't have a problem with mom being gone and grandma being in charge. He had a great time with her. I was worried that Emma would forget me, that was a foolish thought, I know. When I arrived at the Denver Airport, we got landed 1/2 hour early. I wished that I could have gotten a ride on one of those little cars so that I could have gotten to the baggage claim area quickly and hug my family. When I finally got there, the first person I saw was Ryan and then I saw Braxton running towards me, I didn't want to let him go. Emma reached out to me and I was so happy to be back with the 3 most wonderful people in the world. I had to sit in the backseat with Emma on the way home because she cried when I left her sight, well, she still doesn't let me go too far from her. I am going back to Nova Scotia in July, but I am taking my clan with me.

Nova Scotia's Masterpiece

I grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia, which is on Cape Breton Island. It seems like as soon as you cross over the causeway onto the island you are home. Ask anyone who grew up there and they will tell you that their physical address can be anywhere in the world, but Cape Breton is the home of their hearts. The island just has some sort of pull that I really can't describe. There is something about that cool sea air that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Good News

My dad was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. He had surgery and then started chemotherapy about a month ago. Cancer is such a scary word. When I first heard the word come out of my dad's mouth, I felt helpless and it took a few days to wrap my head around the whole thing. To make matters worse, it seems like not only does he have cancer, he also got bad news every time he went to the doctor. It's hard to stay positive when all you hear is negative reports from doctors. Well, the first days I was home, my dad finally got some good news. They had thought that the cancer had spread to his brain, but they did a scan and it shows that there is no cancer in his brain. HOORAY!!!! My dad still has a long road ahead, 9 more chemo treatments, but this good news really helped him stay positive and give him the hope and strength to fight even harder. When we go back in July, we will have to have a "Farewell to Chemo Party".

Dad and Brenda at dinner.

Farewell Party

I left for Nova Scotia on March 16th, on the 15th, we decided to stay over night at a hotel close to the airport. The next day while I was travelling, Ryan took the kids to the butterfly and insect museum. I heard that they had a great time. Braxton had a tarantula crawling on him and a butterfly landed on Emma's head. It's moments like this, that I wish we had two cameras. Anyway, back to the evening of the 16th. Ryan and Braxton have really been into "food shows". They love Man vs. Food. We decided for dinner to visit Jack-N-Grill which was featured on Man vs. Food for the 7 lbs burrito challenge and also on the Travel Channel's 101 Top Restaurants to Chowdown in America (they were #13). We saw the 7 lbs burrito and there was no way we could ever finish it, even as a family. So we asked our waitress for a recommendation. She said that they were known for their burgers, so Ryan and I got a burger and Braxton got a quesadilla. They brought out the food and I laughed and laughed at the thought of us finishing all the food. It was the biggest burger that I had ever seen, but it was also the best burger that I have ever tasted. I could barely finish half of it, Ryan finished a little bit more than me and Braxton's quesadilla was grandote.

Braxton in front of the Wall of Fame. If you can finish the 7lbs Burrito, you get your picture on the wall and the burrito is free. If you are woman and you finish the burrito, you get your picture on the wall and you eat at Jack-N-Grill for free for life.

Ryan's burger. This picture makes me laugh because the burger looks bigger than Emma's head and she looks appalled at how big it is. Wow!!!

OOOOOOH CANADA

During the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Ryan and I were lucky enough to go to Canada House. While there, we were able to sign a petition in support of Vancouver to get the 2010 games. So, it was great to watch the games this year, knowing that it was just a dream 8 years ago.

Team Canada won 26 medals: 14 Gold, 7 Silver and 5 Bronze.

Out of all the medals won during the games, this one is really the one that feels the best and the only one that matters!!!! It was an amazing hockey game, which ended in OT. Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal, he is a fellow Nova Scotian (Anne Murray is too, what great company)

Ryan was rooting for Team USA and I felt bad for Braxton. What's a boy who was born on the 4th of July with an American father and a Canadian mother to do? He, of course, cheered for the USA, but was still very torn since his mom was cheering for the other team. He told me that next time I should cheer for Team USA, I told him that would probably not happen. So, every 4 years, our family will be split and I will try not to gloat. I am hoping that maybe Emma will join me in a boys vs. girls thing.

Happy Canada Day

I Love the Smell of Wunderbars in the Morning

Ryan arrived home safe and sound from Canada around 11:30 last night. I am so happy to have him home. Before he left, I gave him a list of some of my "must-haves" to bring home. He was able to find a few of the things on the list. I was really impressed that he brought home Tim Hortons. He said that he had to guard the donuts with his life, apparently security at the airport and customs officers are really fond Timmy's. So, I will now try to make my ketchup chips last forever and only eat the chocolate on "special occasions". You know like when I finish folding all my laundry or doing the dishes. ¡¡¡Que Viva Canada!!! (and Cadbury!!)

O Canada, MY Home and Native Land.......

Today is Canada Day, which is like Independence Day in the USA. Every year my family humors (or humours if you are reading this in Canada) me and we have a little celebration with fireworks. I am sure my neighbors (or neighbours) love me for that. I love Canada, I love being from Canada, it's where my heart lives. Even though I know that eventually I will join my boys and officially become an American citizen, I know that I will always root for Team Canada in the Olympics, get teary-eyed as I go through customs and see the "Welcome to Canada" sign, smile when the Loonie is doing better than the US dollar, and love ketchup chips. So Happy Birthday Canada, may you always be glorious and free!!!!