Things About Canada That I Missed #1

Well, after a few month hiatus I really would like to get back to blogging.  Since we are back in Canada for several months I thought I'd post a few things that I'm appreciating about here and some things that I found startling or interesting during our transition back to living in North America.

The first thing that struck me was just after we arrived- wide, open spaces!  I kept taking pictures of non-picture-y places and thinking they were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.  

You'd have to agree that that stretch of highway is gorgeous and picture-worthy, right?  ;)

 Or what about the shoulder of the road next to the grassy field?

 Ok, maybe that isn't so special but perhaps you will agree with me that the puffy white clouds in a bright blue sky above this little path really IS beautiful.  Hooray for wide open spaces!

Grandma = Fun

My Mom came up for the Jungle Camp Open House, and then stayed with Dennis' parents while we finished up the last week in the bush. Then we picked her up on the Saturday and she was able to spend a little over a week with us!

It was so great to show her around and for her to see firsthand what we're up to. My dad's health problems and regular dialysis had kept them from visiting us up here for the past three and a half years.

We tried out the lake here on camp one afternoon.We had a picnic behind our house:Sampled Timbits together:And visited Inglis Falls up near Owen Sound: After seeing Inglis Falls and having a picnic lunch there, we headed up around the "scenic" highway #1. This took us around the coastline going from Owen Sound up to Wiarton. Most of the coast was overgrown with trees and we only got a glimpse of the water a few times. We did find a boat launch area so we stopped and enjoyed that until I suggested we get the girls out of the sun. They loved it there. Daddy showed his rock skipping skilz and I even skipped a few lamely across the water. I was pretty impressed with Dennis' abilities.

We had one change of clothing to split between all three girls. So Squeaky got the clean, dry pants and Button got a clean shirt.
The last thing we did together was to go to Niagara Falls.



We all went up together in the new Ferris wheel at the Falls. It provided a great view and wasn't too expensive. Squeaky loved it, Winnie was ambivolent and Button wouldn't get off my lap.



This last picture is for A. Jean.

Thanksgiving in Review

Last weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving. We had the joy of spending the weekend with Dennis' family- all 17 of us! It was a crowded and active weekend. Eight of the 17 are kids, but we had lots of fun!

Lots of time was spent outside- especially the kids. They have great fun in Gramma and Grampa's sandbox and running around the backyard. One evening we had a campfire in the backyard and the kids enjoying chasing each other around while we adults lazed around the fire.

Check out these cute pictures.

Canadian at Last!!!

Yesterday was exciting. We went to Oshawa and I became a Canadian citizen! I worked out my issues regarding saying the oath ahead of time (always a good idea). I decided that if Paul gave instructions from the Lord that the people of his time were to submit to governing authorities, the Romans, who were notoriously corrupt and impure, then my first test of submission to Canadian authorities was to take this oath that they required of me even if I don't agree with how the monarchy came into power and what it has become. I am at peace with that decision.

It was a really neat ceremony, presided over by a judge. I'd never been in a working courtroom before. We had to stand up when the judge entered and exited. He was quite personable and gave a little speech on the significance of this day in each of our lives. I thought to myself that while this was an action mainly of convenience for me for many of the people there it was a life-changing event. He read off a list of all the countries that were represented, and there were at least 30. As he read some of the country names, I knew that some of the stories behind these new Canadians involved being refugees and fleeing their countries of origin. Becoming Canadian was vitally important to many there. I feel doubly blessed to not only be Canadian, but American as well- does it get any better than that? God's grace. Dennis and the girls came along. The girls were well behaved- thank You, Lord! It was also really great that Brenda, Patti and the girls were there to witness it! Thank you for coming, guys!