jeudi, mars 29, 2007

We had an early Easter gathering with the Janzen Family this year. We celebrated three birthdays: Rowan's, Quinten's and Benjamin's. We also made it a bit of a good-bye party for Tony, Rebekah, Rowan, Quinten and Malachi who are moving the end of this week to Black Creek on Vancouver Island. (boo hoo)

Yup, we'll miss them alright. Not that we can't go and visit. But it won't be like it was these last 22 months... only an hour away seemed like just a hop-skip-and-a-jump!

Well anyway,...

My dad asked me to post this photo too. It's of our men making sausage together with a deer that Tony shot on one of their hunting trips. I think our freezer is down to the last link of that creation. I'm sure, in spite of the distance, our men will continue their annual hunting trip together.

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 7:48 p.m. :: 1 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

samedi, mars 17, 2007

Good News!!

Wow, I think I've underestimated how many people actually read blogs! Thanks for all the caring response to my tearful note....

I have good news!!
Well, like I said, another soccer team picked me up. It's actually ideal because they hold their practices on a better evening for me, and only a three minute drive from my home, as opposed to the other team which holds practices across town. So, for that reason also, staying here in our present home is also a benefit to that situation.

However, within the year we WILL be moving! Habitat asked to meet with us this morning. Two of their board members came by to inform us that they really want to partener with us, even though they "gave" this home to a more needy family at this time.
We were asked to sign an unofficial contract stating that the next home that Habitat builds here will be given to us. They have never done this kind of thing before- choosing two "winners" and promising the next home even before the ground has been cut to build it.

God's definately got the edge on TIMING things for our benefit. We're not sure exactly of all of it yet, but already we know we will be happy to have a bit more time to prepare. For one thing, we will be able to put our "sweat equity" hours into building our own place; choosing some of the design for the interior, installing tile floors instead of linolium etc.
Generally Habitat, because all the work is done by volunteers, can only accomplish building one home every year. At this pace, we would be into our new home by next Spring. However, seeing as we are doing the labour with volunteers, Habitat would gladly accept a work crew that we put together (of experienced labourors) to get our home done sooner.

We are planning on putting together a work crew for sometime this summer, to get this show on the road! Perhaps we can be in before winter!!

Anyway, I need to run just now. My children are needy at this moment!!
(what a roller-coaster season of life. Good thing I've always loved amusement parks!)

Tanya

ps. Jer took my boarding up to Big White again last night.
It was a wonderful experience!! I only bailed a couple of times, and my tailbone fared quite well afterall. The KEY, I believe, is I had boots that actually fit me this time, and a board that was waxed!!! I couldn't believe the difference it made to my ability to control the board!! What seemed like a daunting sport the first time, turned out to be a THRILLING rush the second time!! Now I'm just sad there's only three weeks left in the season!!! Ce la Vi!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 12:41 p.m. :: 8 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

mardi, mars 13, 2007

Rejection? or another way....

A disappointing evening.
Well, as far as evenings go, there was nothing terrible about it. Thing is...

I was waiting for two things tonite.
#1- To hear back from a soccer team I tried out for last night. (boy did I feel old!) I hadn't played for at least eight years, but gave it my best go on a Kelowna Women's Div 2 team that seemed to be really good. There were 12 of us who showed up for the try-outs; I was the oldest of the group (sheesh, I can't believe I'm saying that line!); and only 5 were to be chosen. Well, after giving my all, feeling the ache today, and wondering... I heard back tonite.
Sorry.
Oh, I'm okay with that really. There were three other teams who wanted to take me, without requiring me to "try out". But I had been most impressed by this team and coach (namely the fact that they held try-outs). So, I'll choose the next team on my list. I'm sure it's for the better anyway.

#2- We were waiting to hear back from Habitat for Humanity on a home we were "candidating" for. We had begun the process back in January, and were short-listed down to fourth interview, and one of three families. Tonite was their board's vote on which family. They would phone the "winners" tonite, and the other families would be notified tomorrow. Well, it's 10pm and no phone call. We didn't get chosen. We don't get to move into a larger home ... at this time.

I'm sure God has something better for us in store for the future, but for now... I'm disappointed. I didn't think I'd cry about these matters, but I just think I might now.

Lord, we trust you.

T

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 9:58 p.m. :: 4 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

samedi, mars 03, 2007

Ode to my Tailbone!!

So, a couple of weeks ago I go bouncing down the stairs at a friends home... on my BUM!! (well, more like my tailbone.) I was holding Isaiah and was more afraid to drop him than to hurt myself. He was fine. I went to the chiropractor- four days later- my pelvis was a little out, and my tailbone was merely bruised.

So, two weeks later and I'm starting to forget that there was any injury.

Valentines: Jer buys me a pink snowboard helmut and goggles. (I haven't "hit the slopes" since ... 1999?? -On the Swiss Alpes, mind you!... okay, unless you count the stairs at my friends home "hitting the slopes!")

So, Jer's turn to plan our date. Friday nights at Big White: 5 bucks for four hour lift ticket!! We go.

Keep in mind, with driving and grabbing a bite to eat we're lookin' at a 6 hour date here!! Sitters are hard to come by for an evening half that long! Our list of sitters is exhausted- after at least 10 different phone calls. So, it ends up that we puzzle the night of sitters together. Troy, Jer's mentor and an elder at our church, takes off work early to come and hang with our boys for a couple of hours. Jer's mom finishes her full day of work and heads over to allow Troy to go home to his own family. Jer's dad joins mom after he is done at work, and helps feed and put our boys to bed.

Meanwhile... I'm gettin' my butt WOMP'D!!

Well, it's been eight years or so... and the board wasn't adjusted right for the first three runs down... and the boots were actually 4 sizes too big, and only for the last run did I actually have Jer tighten the laces for me... and....

Okay, so I didn't do too terribly. I cut back and forth a bit; snowplowed a fare share. Carefully timed my moves to avoid hitting other people, or falling down in front of them.

Jer, on the otherhand, after only his third time boarding was lookin' like a pro!! ;)

He's a natural athlete, and has the guts, pride and determination of a man. He's also got a friend who hasn't let him "whimp out". I, on the other hand, have no pride to become a pro at this. I have three little children who still need me in one piece. So, needless to say, I was quite happy to be cautious as I made my way down the mountain.

Snowboarding requires COMMITMENT to the turns, and IGNORANCE of the dangers. Using caution, I'm afraid, mostly results in falling on your bottom end; namely, the tailbone!!

Jeremy was a patient and committed student teacher for me. (He was actually a bit surprised, and perhaps relieved, that I didn't "show him up". He figured I'd pick it up like an old pro after my past "experience"- all of eight times in my life that I've snowboarded!!)

Anyway, to make this long experience short. We had a blast together. We were SOOO blessed to have a nice long date together. I had the chance to use my valentine's gift. I felt young again. Today I feel old. Older even than before I went. I'm sore today- the day after... all over my body. I ache. Did I mention my tailbone hurts??

But guess what. We're already planning our next trip up the mountain. I'm going again. I'm duct-taping my pillow to my back-side. I'm hittin' back a "Jolt" drink or two, and then I'm gonna go nuts! (I'll make sure Jer and I finally write up our "Will and Testament" before then.)

ps: the smiling photos are both taken AFTER the experience, so you can see how happy I was to get off the mountain!!! (just kidding; we both had such a great time together I couldn't help but smile!)

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 9:22 p.m. :: 2 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------