Day 360 - The Burnett Bunch

It's 0317 & I can't sleep, so I might as well type the blog post. I am having some arm pain these last few days & I'm hoping it goes away soon. I don't like taking drugs, but it may just come to that!


Today I drove to Fort McLeod to spend the night with Jenn & the kids. They are leaving in a few days & this is my last chance to spend time with them before they disappear for a long time. 


We went to the city for a few hours to pick up some last minute things for their big trip. The kids behaved marvellously & I have no idea how Mom's do it these days. We picked out some super cute Halloween costumes for the kids & I can't wait to see some photos of them wearing them! We also picked up a movie for the evening. Letters from Juliet. Oh dear. I'm in love. With Italy all over again. It's a brilliant movie about love (duh!) & I think it just moved onto my Top 10 list. Yes, it's a chick flick, but aren't all the good ones?!? 


Speaking of which, why are women so romantic & men not? Well, minus the Italian men that is. Yeah, so they have a double edged sword there, but let's face it, they earn the other side of the sword! If you haven't seen the movie, WATCH IT!!!


I've been wasting the last hour tossing & turning thinking about my 2-minute video blip. I'm applying for the Transat Vacationer job. You get paid to travel for one year. I KNOW I'm qualified for the job & I can't think of anyone I know who would love to do it more than I! (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!) I just need to brush up on my Final Cut Pro skills & I'm set. Well, besides the packing that is!


Jenn & I had a wonderful visit this evening. I am so grateful that I have been able to spend so much time with her & her kids this summer/fall. Had they not moved back to Canada this year, I wouldn't have had the chance to get to know the kids & reconnect with Jenn. I'm thrilled our friendship has had this revival & I can't wait to see what the future holds for both of us! 


She showed me her route to Texas today on Google Maps. I am always amazed when I look at a map & see all the foreign towns & cities. They are brimming with people just like you & I living their lives to the fullest. We all think we are important & a certain part of the world 'revolves around us', but in actual fact, it doesn't. Map dots & faces of people we'll most likely never meet... It makes me feel small and it certainly humbles me. And of course, it fascinates me! I could spend hours reading the names of towns on the map! :o)


Well, it's 0330 now & I KNOW that there will be pitter patters of feet in a few short hours. I don't know if I've spent enough time tiring myself out, but I'll try to sleep again...


Lekker slaap!
xxxxMaria

Day 304 - Family Photos... Oh Boy!

This morning we were supposed to take some family photos of the Burnetts. Jaco set his alarm on his watch, as I forgot my alarm clock at home. He then put his watch in the chest pocket on his sweater. He put his jacket on in the middle of the night when he woke up cold. I suppose it goes without saying that we didn't hear the alarm go off in the morning! 


Thankfully the Burnetts were roaring to go when we did wake up! Heidi had a rough night, thus Mike did too. He'd been up since 0700 with Harrison & well, nobody was chomping at the bit to say 'cheese'! Phew! We slowly got ourselves ready for the photo shoot. It was a challenge.


Trying to catch & maintain the attention of a 2 year old who is one hour past nap time is no small task! It was midday, bright sun & hot. What a great combo! In any case, I think we managed to get a few good shots! Not without a challenge! 


After Harrison was down for his nap, we wheeled Heidi out into the field for a few snaps of Mom & Dad. It was a brilliant blue sky day & the tall grass made for some fun shots...


Alas, all good things must come to an end, and so we had to pack up our things & head on down the road. We were off to Raymond to see Dave, Collet, Ezra & Baby Ezekiel!


Collet had her second son on Friday, in her home. She had a midwife help her out & she's now the proud Mama of Ezekiel Jasher! Excited to meet the new addition, Jaco & I were going to spend the night with the Stephan's. 


When we pulled up, Terri, the Midwife, was just leaving. She introduced herself & I was shocked at how young & beautiful she was. I guess I expected someone older? It was quite funny! We went in to find Collet all dolled up. The family was about to jet off to True Hope for a few errands. We went along, as Jaco hasn't been there before & it is an interesting place with a lot of good things happening. 


We met Edie, the gal who helps us with our orders. I've spoken to her on the phone, but never met her, so it was fantastic to put a face to the name. Collet showed us around the office & we met several of the TrueHope staff. We left the office just before closing time & headed home.


On the way, Jaco & I picked up a few corn cobs for supper & Dave bbq'd fish & added some garden fresh beet greens & kohlrabi to our supper spread. For dessert, Ezra & Dave baked some scrumptious flax & hemp cookies. I still need the recipe! 


We were all quite tired & called it an early night. Tomorrow will be a big day for photos... fingers crossed it goes smoothly! xxxx M, J & V

The Burnett's - rockin' it!

Lookin' good Burnett Bunch!

Yay! They are all smiling!

Heidi Jo - total sweetheart!

Perfect but for the stick!

Uh-oh!

Brotherly love

Too cute for words!

Kiss me!

Love

Day 303 - Eat Pray Love & The Burnett Bunch!

This morning Jaco & I left for Fort McLeod. We were off to see Mike & Jenn & the kids. Mike has been waiting to hear on a start date for a new job & we wanted to see the whole family before he left for work. 

We had made plans to go for dinner & a movie this evening. Jenn & I had decided that we would see Eat Pray Love. When we arrived, they thought that East Side Mario's would be a wise choice for dinner. 

We visited for a few hours in the afternoon, Jenn took Harrison & I on a little tour of the ranch where her parents live, while Jaco & Mike chatted inside. Harrison played on his slide/jungle gym while Jenn & I caught up on the past few weeks. They've only moved recently, but it feels like ages since I've seen them last! 

Little Miss Heidi has grown so much! She's still got that sweet, sweet smile - I think she'll always melt my heart! And Harrison's vocabulary is growing as much as he is! He was excited to see 'Aunty Jo' when we pulled into the yard. They are truly two wonderful children! 

I helped Jenn edit a few photos & now that I know what she's after, I can finish up the rest for her. Before we knew it, it was time to leave for town. We climbed into the minivan & headed for Lethbridge. 

I have previously only eaten at East Side Mario's once - a LONG time ago. I surprised Collet for her 22nd birthday & we had the surprise party at East Side Mario's. It has been 8 years since we were there - needless to say, I don't remember what the meal was like. (It was a great surprise party, though!)

We each ordered a yummy drink & soon the salad, soup & bread arrived. They feed you as much as you like prior to the arrival of your main course. We each enjoyed our main dishes. We each ordered something very different from the next person, they have a great menu! Of course, a little desert was in order, hello Peanut Butter Stack! Mike & I share a fondness for PB!!! 

We visited for awhile after the meal & then it was time to head out to the movie. I was so excited to see the film. Perhaps too excited. I should have known. The book is ALWAYS better than the movie. It wasn't a bad movie, it just wasn't as good as I was expecting. The Eat or Italian part of the movie was hilarious & perfect. The Pray or Indian part of the film was okay. The momentum was lost somewhere in this section. By the time Bali or Love rolled around, it was getting hard to sit still. At just over 2 hours, it was a tad drawn out. 

I love Julia Roberts & I loved the book. I could watch the Italian section over & over. Sigh. I miss Italy. My fingers are already crossed that Jaco will get a contract in the Mediterranean. I could SO be Julia Roberts on a 'leave no carbs behind' diet in the Med. Who am I kidding, my pants barely fit now!

I should also mention that it was FREEZING when we left East Side Mario's. We were so cold, in fact, that we ordered tea at the theatre! How crazy is that!? A - that it was that cold & B - they sold hot tea! Naturally we cranked the heat in the van on the way home... Brrr! 

We said goodnight to Jenn & Mike & thanked them for a great date night. We ventured off to the RV for a cozy night's rest...

Lekker slaap,

Maria, Jaco & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

T-Rex hits up East Side Mario's

Mama Jay, T-Rex, & Papa M.Bee

Even dinosaurs need lovin'!

The party animal sleeps