hello

Just seeing if I can post pics again...

This shot from Naramata May long weekend vacation with my Dad's side of the family.

Cara

maybe I am...

...in Hawaii. I got a sunburn today I noticed as I was getting Sarah ready for bed. I cannot believe it.
Crazy. I knew it was warm and we wore hats.
She got a little color on her face and a few more freckles maybe but not a burn like me...welcome to Abbotsford!

we moved yesterday

Hi. We moved yesterday and it went good...a long day. Sarah to bed at 10:30pm. Steve Schulz, Daryl K. and Dan K. came up with Dan's truck and trailer to load and Don and Thalia helped clean the last day. The day before cleaners included Dan B, Dean and Lillian S. and Heather M. from our church in Princeton.
We had a car load of seedlings on the way home. We had to leave a little pile of things in the garage and Andy needs to go back and clean up some 'farm' stuff like chicken pens and other things that are not totally accessible because of the snow.
We relaxed most of the day today. Sarah and I went to the park and enjoyed T-shirt weather and meeing old and new friends.
More details on yesterday. The trailer was unloaded by Andy's Dad and brother and himself and our stuff stored in the Abraham's place. We are living with my parents now and will have our own phone line hopefully Tues.
I also got hooked up with a "Maternity Group" - 5 doctors and a midwife that share a practice in Abbotsford and Mission. I even have an appointment this coming week. I am also on the wait list (very long lists) for 3 midwives in the area, but don't think I'll get in with them at all.
So, I'll probably have a hospital birth, but that's ok.
Ya, the weather here is like Hawaii compared to Princeton where we had 2 three inch dumps of snow in the last week - so beautiful though.
Sarah was up at 7:15 am today, so she'll be extra ready for bed tonight and she's gotten lots of physical activity too...enjoying a razor scooter on the deck as well as park time.
So, thanks for all your prayers. I think I'm in holiday/recovery mode right now. My Mom is working on removing skateboarding pictures that were modgepodged to the walls of the bedroom that will become ours (Andy and I), so we are sleeping upstairs at the moment and Sarah in the library.
Thanks everyone for your generous help with our move too.
It was a great sunny day yesterday and we took the coquihalla and it was beautiful.
Lots of emotions and adjusting to the fact we left our house and town and place of work for the last three years of course.
I am thankful...I loved the country and now we have some time in the city. We have lots to eat, shelter and clothes and love. I am thankful we are not in a war-torn country and famine is not of concern.
I think of all these things cause it seems our life has been turned upside-down and there is still much that is not certain. But as I listed above there is much to be thankful for. Reminds me of the book I read with Sarah a while back, "City Mouse, Country Mouse."
The thought passed through my mind about the idea of there being a little recovery group for people that have just recently moved from the country to the city :). My conversations here will no longer include chickens and gardening so much...but maybe a little gardening since that is what Andy will be doing.
Andy has a b-day coming up - April 10th...and Carolyn just had a b-day March 28 - happy birthday!
My grandma W. and Andy's friend Bruce are both in the Abb. hospital.
I think that is it for now.
Cara

to abbotsford

Hello. Thank you for your prayers and comments.
It seems we have a plan now. We will be going to live with my parents. Andy is hoping to work at an organic farm in the valley and do some small-scale market gardening (growing veggies) at his uncles' place.

We had a lovely last day of church here. It was potluck Sunday and they had a cake that said, "We'll miss you," on it as well.

We are having our week of 'lasts' now. We'll go to a few programs this week - Sarah and I and of course a lot of packing still. Andy got the greenhouse down last week and Sarah and I packed her toys (still accessible some of them are). We've been making regular drop offs of recycling and thrift store donations as well.

An encouraging verse I found is from Lamentations 3:55-57 NIV:"I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears to my cry for relief."You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear."

right now

I'm not sleeping. I have lots on my mind. We are moving April 4, and we don't know to where and we don't know what we'll be doing yet to generate an income.Andy has been in Abbotsford since Fri. and he is looking into potential options. It is hard to know exactly how to pack or how to quiet my mind during this time.

The last 2 nights were a write-off. I was thinking about, Sat. night, making sure we were ready for our ride to take us to church Sunday and last night just about everything in the air and all that's happened since early March. I went out on the deck around 1:30 am and enjoyed a very bright starry night. Naps have not gone well either for me, as I hear Sarah and kinda need to in case she needs me.

I've been enjoying more baby's movements and Andy's felt the babe from the outside, but Sarah hasn't...although she's put in her time.

Where do I have our mail forwarded too? So many questions...I keep thinking it'll be interesting looking back on this time. Where do I call to get on a waiting list to get a new midwife?...cause I don't think we're going out Kelowna way, where my midwife is.

Last night I was so tired I felt I might die from tiredness. Ha. I went to bed immedietely after putting Sarah to bed (9 pm) and that didn't even help much cause I was thinking Andy might call so I had one ear open for the phone.

So, I feel a bit of a wreck right now and I don't do well with this sleep deprivation thing. I would appreciate prayers for being patient with Sarah when I feel so on edge from being exhausted and of course prayers for a residence and a job...wisdom for Andy and a calm mind for me.

We are getting some organizing done and Sarah and I have generated a bag each for the thrift store (plus 2 small boxes) and the dump over the last 2 days.

Things are really melting here, snow-wise. I don't know what else to say at the moment. Think it's time for a good cry.

moving somewhere in a month

So, some of you have heard, we are ending our time here at Camp Tulahead. Andy got a phone call, this past Mon., to tell him that he was being let go. To put it simply, he was told that he is not the 'best fit' for camp at this time. So, that was a shock, this news.

Since then, we've been sharing the news with people, talking about and praying about what could possibly be next and I've been trying to focus on trying to clear my mind via taking my burdens to the Lord in all this in order to sleep. I have been having some sleep issues, anyways, with my bladder anyways (up about 4-5 times a night to go to the bathroom and lots during the day too). I would have to report, the first night since the news was the worst and things have improved a lot with regards to thoughts keeping me up.

Anyway, Andy does not have to work this month. We are to be moved out of our house by April 5, 2009. It is very helpful that he does not have to work because he can search for another job and help pack.

There is much to pack...garden stuff (he began dismantling the greenhouse already) and all the stuff we have in this big house. We've been talking about the need to downsize over the past few years, if we ever move to a smaller place (very likely). We have to figure out what to do with our laying hens. I'd love it if someone would adopt them, so we don't have to kill them. Thankfully, we didn't have any chicks growing in our house yet - Andy cancelled that order yesterday. He had started leek and onion seedlings that he continues to care for becuase we don't know if we can have a garden where we might go to next.I have been doing some filing that was on my list for normal life anyways.

Today, Sarah and Andy went ice fishing. I visited for a bit and saw Sarah catch a little fish. It was so cool seeing him come up out of the hole, flipping and flapping.

We have another midwife appointment on March 10, in Kelowna, which will be my last with these midwives I'm imagining. I am not concerned about who will be my pregnancy care provider or where I will give birth. We had a nice little plan set up re: Kelowna, but even if we have to have a doctor instead of a midwive, I think that would be ok, we'd just need to have more of a 'birth plan' and be ready to communicate what we desired (re:possible interventions).I have been feeling movements of this baby which is super super cool. I hadn't felt Karina move in my last pregnancy. I started feeling this baby's movements at 17-18 weeks. I will be 19 weeks on Friday.

I checked the eggs today and also noticed some of the greenhouse plastic Andy took down was blowing away, so I collected it from the field, including one piece from the creek. We don't want to let random pieces of plastic clog up the creek - no.

Andy and I started "Horton Hears a Who" and that is fun.

We've recieved many encouraging and sympathetic emails from people - thank you for your care and prayers.

Andy recieved some cheesemaking supplies in the mail and he is starting plans for a cheese press. If you learn about how to make cheese you will understand why it costs so much. It is quite the process and it has to age sometimes for months, before it is ready (or at maximum taste).

I hung sheets OUTSIDE on the line today to dry. The snow has melted off the deck, but is still everywhere else. They almost dried.The camp driveway has a patch along the side that is showing grass and there is concrete on the bridge showing (a larger patch).

I went on a nice ski again Saturday and today, to visit the ice fishing time.

Last night I put 2 sweaters on and went out on our porch to look at the stars and talk to God and sing a little. It was a good time. We have lived in such a beautiful place where we drink in so much of God's creation.

Andy has been filling the bird feeder each day. We usually don't fill it that often because they finish the seed in one day. I think he's filling it more because he knows we'll be moving.

Andy told Sarah the news today. I don't know what he said or how she reacted because I wasn't there. She did say, he told me, that she'd like to live in Princeton. I asked what she liked about Princeton and she said, "The playground would be close by." Ah, yes, a close play ground. I know that would loose it's fancy wonderfulness for me, but maybe not for a child eh? I do never get tired of walks out here though.

I am wanting to leave our house nice and clean for camp and the next person/people who will move in. When we moved in here there was no one living in it so we had to clean it ourselves.

We have a lot of flour and meat in the big camp freezers currently and that will have to find a new cold home. Anyone have extra freezer space. It's mainly the meat that will need it.We also have a lot of canning which will be heavy to move. We've alredy been eating more canning.

Sarah and I went to Strong Start on Monday and she made a necklace holder - piece of wood with four nails to hang necklaces off of. She painted it yellow with purple spots. I had a good time talking to another Mom who seems to have a similar lifestyle to us with chickens and a garden. Her little girl, also four and the only child, is learning about baking at a young age, as well.

Oh, I also taught Sunday School on Sunday and had an absolute blast doing it. I was just filling in. I didn't know how many kids would be there, but it went good. There was seven kids, ages 2-4 years. I was thankful a couple Moms stayed because they helped a lot as we had a little bit invovled craft we made and the snack was people shaped biscuits, so kids needed butter and jam spread for them. We read 2 books (on the theme of God making everyone different and special) and also played a game that spontaneously came into my head as I asked the kids if they wanted to play a game next or to read another book. Each kid drew a picture of something they liked to do on a small card. I wrote the words of what it was on the card and collected them. We sat in a circle and when I read and showed the card, whoever also liked to do that thing stood up and jumped up and down. We played the game twice, at their request. The second time the kids each had a couple cards to show.

The craft was a magnet with a felt fabric frame and inside the frame was a fingerprint scene. They kids put their fingerprints on the paper in the middle and then turned them into flowers or whatever they wanted to.

So, Andy and Sarah have had colds and he bought some kleenex the other day that had Vicks something in it. We call it spicy kleenex and I can't stand the smell of it. It bothers Sarah's nose too. I think as you breath the fumes you are supposed to clear up in your nasal passages or something. I think we'll go back to our other kind with the lotion in it.

I have had a grateful attitude for a long time about where we live. I often find myself, while Sarah is sledding down the steep hills, standing on top of the hill (which is a great view) and just thanking God and enjoying what I see.

A lot of things don't make sense to us about this whole turn of events, but I don't want to dwell on it. Andy does feel misunderstood and like his employer never really got to know him, so that is tricky. We are hoping to get away for a few days to think and pray, so that will be a good break.

Feb. update

I just came back from a wonderful cross country ski on our field. I brought the camera and took pictures too - some even of me, cause I brought the tripod.

So, we went to Abbotoford Jan. 31 and visited people and a Feb.2-5 we went to the BC Camp Association/Fellowship of Christian Camps at Stillwood in the Columbia Village. The Camp Conference was great. I got to help lead worship which was really I really enjoyed. I met two encouraging ladies who also have children in heaven or know someone who does. I also enjoyed music and messages and a workshop on "how to develop a talk" by Sam Rowland.

On the 5th, Andy headed back home, sick, and Sarah and I stayed in Abbotsford for one week visiting with family and a few other people.

We had a "Christmas" gathering with my side of the family because my uncle (Mom's brother) was in town.

I attended the first concert at the new coffeehouse at the House of James - Sheree Plett and This Old Mountain. Had fun dancing with Eva and Elijah.Sarah and I stayed with the Abrahams from Sat. till Thurs.

We witnessed James' baptism on Sunday morning and enjoyed a dinner with his friends for the lunch meal.

I got to visit a friend with a new baby and another friend with her 3 and 5 year old - Joshua and Cherith. Sarah enjoyed doing some art with them.I got lots of resting and naps in and some park-time with Sarah. One day we had funny snow/hail come down on us. We also enjoyed swimming at the local pool. So fun. We'd go swimming probably every week if we had an indoor pool here.

Dad A. drove us back on Thurs. the 12th and stayed one night at our place. Andy was just getting better, only to catch something else on the next Sunday. He is recovering from that once again. The latest thing has attacked his sinuses.

While at the Abrahams house I was impressed with how they keep their kitchen clean. At my parent's it is not the same way. It gets clean but not always within an hour of the last eaten meal. Anyway, being inspired with this mode of cleanliness, I have managed to keep up to my own dishes, here at home, for over a week! I haven't made any meals, save heating up leftovers, but the dishes have been kept up with. It is nice to clean up in 10-15 min. spurts rather than 30-45 min. marathon at the end of a day.Andy and I had a good talk about how I sometimes wish I could do more and he reminded me my primary goal is to take care of myself right now, so that was very encouraging.

Anyway, what else? Sarah and I did contribute a side-dish to dinner tonight. Cabbage Au Gratin...baked grated cabbage and carrots with a rice milk/egg/cheese mixture on top (all ends up getting mixed together).

I took out "Superman, the Movie" from our library and that has been fun to watch. It was filmed in 1978, the year I was born. Slow start, but intersting all the same.

I am singing on worship team tomorrow and it was neat, when I got to the practice Wed., with Sarah, two of her friends from church were there for her to play with, cause their Mom, Leanne, was also on the worship team. Sarah enjoyed following/chasing Graham, the two year old around the church and coloring with Holly (age 5).

We've (Sarah) been doing more sledding and a few days I have brought out a chair to watch Sarah and read a book or journal. Most of the time while she's sledding, I'm marching (walking quickly) around in circles as to get some excercise and also stay close enough to keep an eye on her.

I have been quite tired, still and the adjustment from my great time of rest in Abbotsford and responsibilities here I have noted.

We made it back to Strong Start Mon. and that was fun.

Then yesterday evening we took in the last hockey game of the season, in Princeton. Princeton Posse against the Chase Chiefs. It was great. We stayed for 2 periods and then home. It started at 7pm, so it was a late night for Sarah. Ya, watching the game was intriguing and I really enjoyed it. Sarah seemed captivated as well.

Did I ever tell you that Sarah named our growing baby Bi-Bim-Bop (Korean for "to mix toghter rice - a really tasty dish, by the way)? Bi-Bim-Bop is still growing and making me do so, and I noticed I couldn't get into the hen house very well as the door is wedged part-way shut because of hay or something and my belly was definatetly in the way. The hens enjoy pecking snow off our boots. I love how Sarah talks to them - like I do - and tells me, "They'll move if you put your hands out" or as she is picking up the eggs "Thank you hens" and then showing one egg to one, "Oh, is this your egg?"

I gave Sarah a haircut a few days ago and it was a challenge although the end result I think is nice. She stayed perfectly still, I just had trouble getting all her hair the same length at first. More of her face shows and that is nice.

We did some face painting on one another today. She was a clown and she drew a cherry and a base ball cap on my respective cheeks. Andy got a cherry too. I remember having watercolor pencils growing up, for face painting, and they were a lot of fun. We used brushes today and that worked too.

I think that is it for now. But no, it isn't. I've thought of a few more things that happened while in Abbotsford.

Andy and I went out with Lance and Aimee and Anders to the NAAM - a very old vegetarian and eceletic restaurant in Vancouver. It was lovely and we enjoyed a walk at Jericho beach afterwards. Before that we also went to a farmer's market they buy carrots and apples at.

The next day we had lunch with the Abrahams in celebration of Dad A.'s retirement. He's done work now and we are very happy for him.

Sarah has been enjoying a VHS video from our church library called, "The Donut Man Active-time Songs." She stands in front of the TV and joins in all the actions. They are very meaningful songs, so it's neat to see her singing and acting them out.She told me the other day, "I love the Donut Man" (the video) and she asks to see it daily. We are sticking to every other day for now. :)

We've been enjoying Lance's new albums he gave us as well as a couple he lent us - "This Old Mountain" and "Ordinary Time - Until He Comes."

whoosh whoosh whoosh

Went to the midwife today and we heard our baby's hearbeat! She couldn't find it right away and started talking about how sometimes they don't hear the heartbeats this early because the baby is nestled or tucked away. Anyway, then we could hear it...not to clearly, but Andy and I and Sarah all heard the 140 beats/minute whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.So cool. I was very thankful we could hear the heartbeat today because we were looking forward to that.

When she was measuring the fundal height she held my hand down there so I too could feel the firmness of the uterus. Cool.

We hadn't met this midwife before and her name is Sharon. There was also a student midwife in with us during the appointment.

We had a tour of the Baby's Inn today too. It's a new house in a new subdivision in "the Mission" part of Kelowna. It's not as decorated as I thought it would be which could be a good thing, but there is some furniture and it is very spacious and clean. They have a full kitchen with plates and cooking stuff. Also, the bedroom people birth in has an empty closet, walk-in shower (and tub in other bathroom), big bed and she's hoping to add another end table and table for the midwives to put their things. in that room as well.In the backyard there is a plum and a cherry tree. You can see them from the bedroom window.We have priority for the time around our due date and I hope to move in there when I'm in labor.

Other things we did in Kelowna include dropping off stuff at the thrift store, picked up containers from a water anaylisis place so Andy can test camp's water, drop an electrical heater off for repair for camp, go out for Japanese food and go shopping at save-on and two health food stores. We also heated up borscht soup in the parking lot of a strip mall for dinner before heading home.

Very tired so it's time to turn in. Thank you God for a safe trip and bare and dry roads on the way home in the dark.