Sunday, September 11, 2011
Kelowna I know it's about time I write a post. So much has been going on that the thought of writing about it is overwhelming. It has been such a busy summer. I feel like I've been everywhere and back again. There wasn't much time for internet, and as much fun as was had, it feels good to have our own space again, to not be living out of suitcases and to get back into a routine.
I feel as if I should mention something about our move. In the middle of August, I flew back to Winnipeg. After being gone for over a month it felt so good to be home. I had left the house mostly packed and Kyle had pretty much done everything else. The next day we picked up the truck loaded it with some help and cleaned from early morning until late night. And we were out. Things went so much smoother for us this time around. Having a big enough truck for our stuff, for example, makes a difference. When we arrived in Kelowna, there were people from our ward ready to help us unload. Our new place is smaller than our last, so at first it was really overwhelming trying to figure out where everything was going to go. We took it one box at a time, and we also came up with some storage solutions (like my handy husband making big boxes that slide under the kid's bunk bed.) Things are working themselves out and it's beginning to look like a home around here.
I like our neighbourhood. It's quiet, there's a big nice park around the corner and we are minutes away from Walmart, Costco, Superstore, restaurants, the mall, etc. It has been sunny and hot since we got here, so it really doesn't feel like summer is over.
And of course there is my big five year old starting school. Since he's in kindergarten he doesn't start until tomorrow, but that has been perfect, since I've needed the first week to get our situation under control. I was feeling a little anxious because I wasn't able to register him until we got here. I wasn't sure about which schools were good or anything, but I knew I wanted to put him in French Immersion. So I went to the school and registered him on the first day. They had already told me the French was full and I knew registering so late I had little chance of getting him in. So I put him on the wait list and was feeling a little discouraged about it. They made it sound like they might not even have room for him on the English side. So I went home and waited for their call and wondered where else to register him if he didn't get in. But, when they called they told me there was room for him in the French. Exciting! So we went to meet his teacher, Madame Dack. She's very nice and I can tell she loves kids, which is important for a kindergarten teacher. He starts tomorrow. I can't believe it. My life is about to change forever. Sloan and I are going to miss him!!
Since being here, Andrea is helping me get set up in the Okanagan ways. She hooked me up with her peach lady. Fresh, organic peaches. So good. Yesterday I spent the day at her house and had my first canning experience. The first of many. We plan to get together once a week to can, while things are in season. We're making salsa next week. I'm excited about this. I think this is a lifestyle I can get used to. We went out to an orchard market and got more fresh fruit and vegetables. The kids played for a while. Andrea and I relaxed and visited. It was fun.
Winnipeg will always have a special place it my heart. I will miss it- more the people really. As we go to our ward for the first time as a family, I can't help but think of last year and attending the winnipeg ward. I remember feeling like crying as I sat in sacrament meeting, so far from home, thinking about Nanaimo and how that felt nothing like it. But they were so nice to us, we couldn't have asked for nicer, friendlier people, and it quickly felt like home to me. And here we are again. I feel braver this time, or maybe it's because this move wasn't as dramatic for us. We're closer to family, we're back in our home province so it doesn't feel as foreign. That doesn't mean I'm not nervous about it though. I hope we like our new ward.
Our neighbours beside us are really friendly and nice. When they saw me struggling with all my boxes they introduced themselves and took them for me. Turns out they are from winnipeg. Also Adriel's teacher is originally from a city about an hour outside of Winnipeg. Go figures. They don't call it friendly Manitoba for nothing. When things are done in our house, I'll post some pictures.
4 comments
Sarahstottle posted @ 8:04 AM
Comments:
Glad you are getting settled. I'm totally jealous of your canning dates with Andrea. She is a wealth of knowledge when i comes to that. Can't wait to come visit you!!!!!
yay i was so happy to see you posted! What a jam-packed summer you had. It IS nice to get back into a routine again, isn't it? I can't believe Adriel's in school--poor Sloan, I bet he gets bored without a playmate.
i think it's cool that you somehow managed to retain some prarie connections. welcome back to the home province sis. visits await!
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