Thankful

I think everyone should have a camera. Preferably something that can take good detail shots. The reason is when you walk around the world with a camera in your hands you don't get to walk very far. You start to look at the world through your lens, and everything becomes worth capturing. My crutch is detail shots. Aim your lens at something static and pretty, and it's easy to make people think you're good at photography.



This last weekend was Canadian thanksgiving. Ruth and I fed 16 people total. We had three different tables, a 17 lb Turkey, and two bowls of stuffing for each end of the table. It was so much fun to host the a small portion of the Trekofski family, as well as friends, Stuart and Shauni, and my sister Amy and her boyfriend Abraham. I'm very thankful for family.



It is such an amazing blessing to have a house this year that we can host such a large group. We're looking forward to hosting Christmas this year too. I can't wait. I'm very thankful for this house.



The thanksgiving food was amazing. We ate until we couldn't eat anymore. And then took three separate cars to church.



I realized something last weekend. I think I'm pretty good at communication. I never really feel socially uncomfortable. But I had a hard time expressing my thanks to my Father in law and grandpa.



From the minute they walked in the door they started working on all of the little projects around this house that I am incapable of completing without disastrous results. Wiring, duct work, car repair, electrical work, all in under four days.



They did so much work here for me it was overwhelming. I'm not sure I thanked them enough. It seemed like a massive understatement to say "Hey! Thanks guys". Or "Hey, I really appreciate it." But it would be equally uncomfortable to jump up and down in excitement like a small kid. Unless it was maybe behind closed doors.



All I could really do was repeat myself throughout the weekend saying things like "Thanks for all this," and " thank for doing this for me". But I'm not sure I communicated myself very well.



I kind of felt useless. I couldn't help with any home repair, I was in the way if I helped in the kitchen. I need to be good at something other than taking pictures of leaves, because at the end of the day that doesn't keep the lights on. Ruth reminded me that was very useful, I just don't understand why I can't learn how to inspect an engine for coolant leaks. I never decide to sit down and read about engines.

So I got to sit at the head of the table and say grace, but I didn't feel like the head of the house. But I definitely felt like the most blessed. Words cannot express how thankful I am to those members of family and friends that have helped us get where we are today. I hope some day you all know who you are and how thankful I am to you.

The moon is down

Company's Coming

In Lepp blog fashion this is nearly a week and a half late, but hey..better late...

Happy one year anniversary to the Millers. We were the proud guests at their wedding a year ago. Don't remember? Just step back in time....http://roydenandruth.blogspot.com/2005/10/taking-another-plunge.html
Also, if you look about 5 pictures down that post you'll see Aaron, Josh's best man. Well he and Annie announced their engagement in the same week. So Ruth and I hosted a little celebratory wine and cheese (and muffins, and champagne) night. I ate so much I felt a little sick that night. I also royaly dropped the ball by not taking a single picture of the newly engaged couple, or their ring, or Brenda for that matter. All I have is food preperation and a picture of Josh playing a serenade to the laptop.

Childhood Dreams

Well I thought it was high time to rival my husband's long picted blog posts...so here goes! Last weekend my dear childhood friend Trina married her groom in good old Slammin Arm. They wed at this cute heritage site in town called the Haney House-also the location of our other good friend Michelle's wedding some years and four little girls ago:). My talented husband did a fabulous job taking pics of their wedding and I may in fact be a little jealous of them. I even stole the camera for three of these shots and was happy with the results. So for those of you who know the Doane's and those of you who don't...enjoy!











I couldn't help but include a shot of myself in this lineup...check out those gams! This is actually a re-creation of another photograph but sadly missing are: well traveled legs, baby bouncing legs and super sexy Californian legs. Trina and I really missed you girls-makes me sad to even think about it. I guess there's still Ali's wedding that we might all make it to yet. Trina and I danced up a storm at the reception but we were definitely short a few retired bar stars;).



Look at that gorgeous bride!



I got a little gutsy after the ceremony and decided that I definitely needed to publicly comment on the event that was transpiring. I couldn't give up this great opportunity to roast the bride-here are the words I spoke at the reception (after a few nerve calming glasses of fantastic homemade wine):

Aside from her relatives, I've known Trina longer than anyone else here. We met in kindergarten and it's shocking to me that we are now old enough to drive cars, live on our own and have husbands. Trina and I spent many many hours together over the last 21 years. Everyone always thought that she was the quiet one in our relationship but boy when she gets to know you she can talk your ear off! (A fact that I'm sure Buddy can attest to!) I can't tell you how many hours I spent in detention because of her note passing secret whispering antics. Our teachers always thought that she was the quiet angel who sat behind me in class but I knew the truth...she was the instigator! We discovered many things together over the years. Things like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys (loved those double issues) and the longest possible way home from school. I'd like to say that we also discovered boys together but that would be a lie. Somehow the two of us have always been boy crazy. Whether we were making our barbie dolls participate in unmentionable activities, taking long walks past Victor Carter's house or trying to hide the book 'Forever' by Judy Blume from Mr. Shipmaker, boys were always on our mind. We were fully frustrated that WE weren't on THEIR'S! College changed all that of course. Trina, Loa and I spent about four years living, laughing and arguing with each other in Kamloops while attending UCC. We spent many hours at Aberdeen Mall together searching for the perfect bar shirt and predicting whether the crew would be at JJs or the Max that night. As time went on it became more and more difficult to convince Trina to come bar hopping with us. She was always mature for her age and outgrew the bar scene long before Loa or I had. However on the night of September 9, 2000 after much arm twisting she finally relented to come along to the Max with us. At the time we had no idea the impact that decision would have on her life. That was the night she met Buddy. Trina didn't usually take off at the club but that night she disappeared. After a short search Loa and I found her on the dance floor in a lip lock with Buddy Doane and they've been in love ever since. Here we are exactly six years later celebrating their wedding. Trina, you know that you have always been one of my closest friends and I am glad that if I can't walk beside you through the rest of life's adventures, Buddy can. My hope for both of us is that this new venture into marriage is better than we ever even dreamed it would be. Congratulations!



















Last but not least...my favorite picture of the day:



We had a great time and left with full stomachs, tired feet and happy hearts!

Grace

Last week my grandma finished passing from this life to the next. The last several years of her life have been a struggle for her and for those who loved her. My Mom was going to fly to San Francisco alone which didn't seem right so I decided to go with her.



It was actually a good time with my Mom. Frisco is her old stomping ground and it's strange to be in this very different city and culture and have my Mom point out places from her childhood. One of those places was her highschool. Only two stories and several thousand square feet larger than my old highschool. She said she's never been in the cafeteria.



She did, however, spend a lot of time in those bleachers.

The funeral was on Saturday and it was good. The biggest struggle was the strange clash of family. My Grandma was divorced young and married my grandpa Larry who already had three kids. They combined families in a small house off Geneva. Seven kids total. I've never known Grandpa's kids.



The other hard part of the funeral was Uncle Loyd. Uncle Loyd is my Mom's brother who was born mentally retarded. He's 58 but he has the mind of an 8 year old. No one really knew how he would respond to the death of his mother. The previous night he was convinced that everyone was there for his birthday, which was in August. It didn't hit him until he walked into the church and saw his Mom's face on the program.



The convergence of family also meant an update of some off the cuff family photos.





I know those looks! They're all saying to themselves,"Are any of these pictures worth blogging?"




Maybe a little too much commotion for Uncle Loyd.



Ok, one last thing, (phew my blogs are getting longer and longer). My grandma was into collecting. She collected teapots, thimbles, antique furniture, and owls. Her entire house was under the theme of owls. I have next to no memories of Grandma, but I remember the owls. So before my flight left I had to wander around and capture some of my favorite owls in the house.









On Sunday we made sandwiches and sat around the table. I made a sandwich for Loyd which he seemed to enjoy. His mind processes things at it's own time in it's own way and it was interesting to watch him. I asked him if his sandwich was any good. He answered, "I'm glad you could come pay your respects to my Mom."

Grace was not always a happy person, but as my Mom said, she's happy now. She's with her Saviour.