Day 366 - Hello Shermans & Strilchuks!

This morning we were up & at it bright & early. By the time Jaco & I got up, Henk was already out in the barn & Laura had all the girls up & dressed & was busy braiding the last one's hair. Oh, and she had breakfast ready for everyone - Quinoa, omelet & fresh cinnamon buns. How does she do it, Folks? How does she do it?

I took along my blonde wig for the trip, but forgot the little bank robber stocking that goes under the wig. It helps a lot with the itching. I hadn't worn the wig & was having fun showing off my henna. I wasn't sure if the church we were going to today would be ready for my henna'd head or not. Laura told us that 500+ people go to their church every week. When I tried the wig on for the girls, they liked it. I told them I was now Mommy's sister (because I was blonde too!). I decided to wear the wig. Thank goodness I did, as we ended up sitting in the very front row! I guess they would have only stared at the back of my henna'd head, but this way I couldn't see either way!

I met Laura's friends, who have a daughter with a rare medical condition called AVM - Arteriovenous Malformation. She is taking treatments in Colorado, as they have much success in treating her AVM. Canada offered to remove 1/2 her face & do reconstructive surgery & by the way, she might not survive the surgery. Did I mention their daughter isn't even old enough to drive a car? TRAGIC! (Insert prayer HERE!)

We drove back to the house & had a bite to eat. It was then time for us to dash away. We hugged & said our farewells. I sure do miss those guys. What a wonderful family they are! I wish we lived closer. (Did I say that already?!)

We made our way towards Beaumont. We were stopping in to see Janis & Dustin, Caleb & Baby #2. Janis is due in March. I think it's a girl. But I always think every Mom-to-be is having a girl. Janis is the ultimate Mom. I've never seen a woman handle pregnancy so smoothly. I think it's her general laid-back attitude. It rubs off on Caleb & their two Goldendoodles, so it's only naturally that pregnancy would go smoothly as well. I hope I'm like that one day! She looks stunning & I've never heard her complain about ANYTHING. What a gal. My hat's off to you!

We were planning on staying for an hour or so, as we needed to get to Rocky Mountain House before dark. Well. If Dustin didn't come home & start making thin crust Italian pizza. They asked us to stay & I think they asked right about the time the garlic was sauteéing on the oven. Psychologically they could have asked me for my first born child & I would have handed over the baby for a piece of pizza. Yeah. It was that good. Seriously, I haven't had pizza like that since... Italia! Bellissima!

While Dustin was preparing the pizza, I went to the living room to play with Caleb. This kid amazes me. He's 2 years old & he has the craziest vocabulary & best pronunciation I've ever heard. Not that I'm a Speech Pathologist or anything, but he's pretty clever! He read me a book full of animals. Lion, bear, giraffe, zebra, tiger, butterfly... I was VERY impressed. Note to self: Read your child PLENTY of books. Note to self: Read your self PLENTY of books!

We were on the road with full bellies & memories of homemade tomato sauce dancing on our tongues. We arrived at Le Strilchuk Château just past 2100 in the snow. I scared the daylights out of Mom2. She didn't hear us drive up, or come in the house. They were all watching a movie in the living room, with a fire burning. She screamed & jumped. Whoopsie! We had a wonderful chat & enjoyed a cup of Toasted Walnut tea from David's Tea. I sat up & watched the last of the Karate Kid. It was good! I like Jackie Chan.

The girls were happy to see us. I think. Valentina cuddled with Ricky, Mom2's nephew, & Oceana cuddled with Mom2. All the dogs got along fine! It's a miracle! I think it was great for them to have a few more 'pack members'.  We'll see what happens once we're back home!

I went to bed after the movie & what a cozy bed! The mattress was nice & cushy & the duvet was big & fluffy. Great sleep!!!

While I was paging through a magazine in bed, Jaco went to the loo. I heard someone get up, I think it was Mom2. She walked in on him in the bathroom. So did Laura at her house. So did Drayton at Sylvia's house. I think it's quite funny. For all other parties involved, maybe not. What are the chances of this happening at EVERY house you stay at? Maybe they don't lock doors in South Africa? They lock every other door, that's for sure!

Tomorrow we motor home... Lekker slaap!

xxxxMJV&O

 Soooooo Yummy!!!

 The Master at work!

 Caleb enjoying his ice cream

 Smiley Guy!

There's a bit of a belly bump there! 

 Laura, Henk & the girls

Tianna playing shy!

Day 365 - Hello Laura & Co!

This morning we were up early & outta the house by 1000. Well, maybe 1030. Sylvia & Drayton were taking us out for brunch before we left for Westlock. We drove all over the countryside on dirt roads, with Drayton as our guide. Sylvia was ahead of us, leaving a dusty trail to follow.  Suddenly we came to a small town with a big gas station & a really nice restaurant. We ordered our meals & Drayton entertained us throughout the entire process. I think he was still experiencing residual sugar effects! He wasn't wanting to finish up his breakfast or smile for a quick pic with Jaco & I. Then, when he finally did smile, he wouldn't stop hamming it up for the camera! What a guy!

We said our farewells & they left for home to meet Gary for lunch & we headed towards Athabasca & then south from there. We stopped at Extra Foods in Athabasca to pick up a few things - like oranges & water. As we were leaving the shop, this little fellow says to his mother, 'Mommy, that lady has no hairs on her head!' It was cute!

I didn't call Laura to let her know we were on our way. I was hoping to pull into the yard & surprise her. Of course, she was waiting for us in the house with the girls. The girls were quite shy at first, but certainly warmed up! They are so darn beautiful! Blonde & blue eyed with beautiful smiles!

We visited for the afternoon & the evening until nearly midnight! The girls took us outside for a bit to show us their bunny, Rainbow. Jaco went with Henk to the dairy barn to see how things are run. He was quite impressed & I can understand why. Henk is very passionate & progressive when it comes to his dairy business. In fact, I only noticed this visit all of his awards for running a top-notch operation. I know very little about the dairy industry (except that I like ice cream), but Henk is always informing me of some incredible technological advancement that I would have never dreamt possible - like a Milk Robot, for example.

Laura made a delicious chicken dinner. That girl amazes me. Three kids, a clean house, meals made, laundry done & she helps Henk in the barn. And she drives Brooklyn to school every morning at 0830. I am signing up for lessons. I was quite happy that Jaco was able to meet Henk & Laura. They told him a little more about Mexico & all the happenings down there to 'educate' him a little more on the 'other side' of things. Laura is in remission & doing very well. (AMEN!!) Not only that, but Henk & Laura are really wonderful people. I felt like I'd just been to see her a week ago, even though it has been 8 months! And of course, we could talk 'until the cows come home'. (Pun intended) I sure wish we lived closer!

Laura showed us this incredible book she put together of their family trip to San Diego last March. It was such a beautiful memoir of their first big trip together. What a lot of work, but well worth it! Laura is a very talented wedding photographer. She showed me some of the weddings she has shot, as well as some engagement photos. She finally went digital & is very excited about the editing process now vs. pre-digital! Yay for no more processing film!

We finally hit the hay around midnight. Tomorrow we were going to church with the family. My biggest decision for the day would be whether or not I would wear a wig or expose my henna tattoo... Was this church ready for a tattoo'd lady? We'll see...

xxxxMaria & Jaco

I knelt down to be on eye level with Drayton. Then he knelt down too! 

 Gotcha!

Hammin' it up! 

He likes Uncle Jaco! 

Yay for the Mom-to-be!!! (April 8th! April 8th!) 

Rainbow meets the rabbit mitten! 

Rainbow - the newest addition to the family!