Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Hassle is Well Worth It!!!

I am often asked if we enjoy the Military life. This week I realized the answer is "Yes, we most certainly do!"

Please find me another job that not only pays you to travel and live in cool places around the world but also pretty much guarantees that at some point in time you will recross path with old friends? On FB I had added the Captain of the Roller Derby team in Yokosuka since I am planning on joining once we get there. From her page I happened across both my cousin's wife and the spouse of my husband's Division Officer from his very first ship in Mississippi! We have connected and it has een wonderful catching up and getting excited about our move over!

Last night I received a PM from a poster on a forum about Japan that I am on. Apparently she is from Canada and her sister lives in the same town as us and owns the pizza restaurant we always order from! How crazy is that?!?!? We also will be keeping in touch and meeting once we are all in Japan. Thank you social media and the digital age!

Most people move to a new town and don't know a soul, here we are literally moving across the world and I already have a small handful of friends! How lucky are we?

My MIL was visiting us from Arizona last week for the first time in 5 years. Her visit was lovely an much to short but one thing that stuck out to her was how confident and brave my kids are. She was shocked to know that they have a very adventurous pallet and do not eat "normal" kid foods. She also couldn't believe how comfortable they are to talk to complete strangers and how easy going they are about riding public transportation in big, busy Vancouver. I have to say that the situations through the military we have been in the past and the fact that we home school contribute to this greatly.

Again, I am blessed and feel so lucky!!!! I love being a Navy Family and cannot wait for our future adventures!  

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Things I LOVE About Canada

We have had a rough Canadian week this week,so horrible that visiting family commented that they would not care to visit this area again. I thought writing out some of our Canadian "loves" would help because I am feeling quite frusterated right now and homesick for the U.S.

Things I LOVE about Canada

1. Timbits- Sour cream glazed, cherry and chocolate donut holes from Canada's beloved Tim Hortons. It is sort of like a Dunkin Donuts, with cheap coffee and yummy fresh baked goods. We typically refer to our kids as Timbits :)


2. Roll Up- It's Rooooolllllllll Uuuuuupppppp Time makes all of us run to the nearest Timmy's to purchase coffee so that we can roll up the rim of the cup to see if we have a winner (seriously it is a holiday here). Last year I won a free coffee!

3.Lululemon- I firmly believe that God himself is a Vancouverite and designed this store with me in mind. Lululemon pants, while pricey, are the most amazing thing for us girls who have larger, ummmm "ass"ets.


4. Summer- Vancouver Island has a nine month rainy season that begins in fall and end in spring. The three months of 70-80 degree sunny days are absolutely gorgeous, welcome and loved.

5. Horses- Eric Lamaze, Ian Millar, Team Millar, Northern Dancer, Cavalia, The Canadian Breed, Greenhawk, Spruce Meadows: What is not to love about these famous Canadian riders, horses, breeds and places?


6. Local Food- It is very popular to try to eat local here. Our family has participated in the "Vancouver Island Diet" since living here, where we try to eat only food produced on the Island. We also are a shareholdr for a CSA farm and get fresh produce weekly form a local working farm. Our diets have gotten so much better since most restaurants even try to keep their menu local! It is better for our bodies and better for the environment to eat fresh whole local foods!

7. Homeschool- I LOVE that we are in an area that is so accepting to homeschool. I had no idea there were so many styles out there and I have friends who all homeschool differently. I would consider us Eclectic Homeschoolers because I pick and choose so many different things from every style to suit our needs and wants. If we had not had the opportunity to live here, I am sure I would either be homeschooling out of a book with set and times and activities (and hating it) or would have put the kids back into public school by now (and hated it). I love that Canada considers the parents as the one who knows the best course of action in education and up bringing of their children.