My best girl

Saying goodbye once again. This time to a beloved friend and four-legged member of our family. We were blessed with twelve years of furry companionship with our dear Java, and yesterday we had to say goodbye.

I hardly remember life without Java. I was only eight when Jordan brought her home, an adorable bundle of big eyes and soft paws. Ever since, her expressive sweet face has drawn friends and strangers alike to adore our beautiful girl. She was Jordan's best bud out there on the farm and running all over the mountain. She was always ready and eager for a swim in the lake, a dirt bike chase or a cuddle by the campfire. She became my best girl as we spent early mornings walking, watching the sunrise, and afternoons delivering papers together. She kept us warm in tent on camping trips, cleared the beach of rocks for us, ate up all our leftover lettuce heads, and cuddled with our kittens. Ever loyal, ever true. There is hardly one childhood memory that doesn't include her smiling face. How thankful I am for the years we had with her.

Of course she had her animal moments: tearing off after an illusive rabbit or barking throughout the night, keeping everyone up. She couldn't stand wind or thunderstorms or fireworks, poor delicate pup. Then there was the ever frustrating disappearances when she decided to wander off only to return in her own good time. But she always did return, every time. Her big brown eyes staring up adoringly even as her tail drooped in apology. It's hard knowing she won't be coming back this time.

She was our perfect dog. Loved by all the whole family and she loved us in her doggy way. Even Mom and her had an understanding I think. They loved each other in their own way, respected each other and protected each other. No other pet has really fit out family like Java and I'm sure none will.

As we continue to find little pieces of her throughout the house and yard, the constant reminder of her missing presence is surreal. The shock of saying goodbye so fast isn't easy but the years of memories are a balm to our hearts. She was truly a gift, a blessing, and a special friend.

We'll miss you Javapup.

Thursday Smiles (No. 2)

I did it!!! Bet you all are so proud of me...and probably surprised...but yes, I managed to actually do this twice in a row. I'm proud of myself. :)

So. Today is Groundhog Day and that is reason enough to smile, dontcha think? I mean, it's a rather ridiculous little practice: to observe the groundhog and hope it doesn't see it's shadow so that we can all look forward to winter being over. I mean really?? Firstly, I have to say, it makes no sense. I think if it SEES its shadow, spring should be coming because that would mean it has to be SUNNY...but that's just me and ALSO what if the groundhog just doesn't look in the right direction? Or what if something else causes a shadow that it sees? Too many flaws. Yet people show up to the festivals, people listen for the announcement on the radio, for goodness sake there are several rather famous groundhogs around North America who even have statues built after them. Soooo ya. People's odd fancies strike me as amusing.

In any case, I decided to celebrate Groundhog Day in my own way! How? might you ask... well I conducted my own little search for spring around my yard. I believe I can say without a doubt...spring is coming. ...of course it must be coming because it can't be going anywhere...

So here are some of the images from my little scavenger hunt.


<><><>

And here's my adorable puppy who always makes me smile!


Other smiles from the week came in various forms. I saw this earlier this week, a little note on Instagram which read:

Roses are red

Violets are blue

When I think of you

My writing comes out corny

 Now THAT cracked me up. I'm easily amused apparently... So in honour of that holiday of love coming up soon, there is a little poem for you to share with those you care about :)

This little cooking adventure my mom and I had...pork chops and apples. It looked great going in but...we have to work on it a bit I think. The end result wasn't my favourite dish to consume.

And finally, going to the grocery store...in slippers!!! yes!!!! Nothing quite like it. I've decided I shall do it any other time I have need to whip over there for something quick. It's too great.

And this concludes my second "Thursday Smiles"!!

Of ghost cars, beads and bears

Traveling with my sisters is always an interesting and hilarious experience. A quick jaunt up to Kelowna and back this weekend was no exception! That's right, just two days after I returned from Jackson, we're packing up the car and heading out (much to my mother's dismay).

The excitement started just outside of hope with a sudden decrease of speed from the cars in front of us. Soon we are travelling in a pack and Nel strains to see ahead and hypothesizes (correctly), "I bet that's a ghost car right up there, that silver one?" So ya...here we are, forced to travel at the agonizing speed of 100kph (who wants to drive the speed limit???) and you can tell everyone is getting antsy. We pass by several exists and he still won't leave!! THEN two semi trucks pull on right in front of him and he is stuck at about 98kph...which is even worse in a way because no one wants to pass him! As our turn comes up, we start climbing a hill so he is pushed even slower so we anxiously make our way past him and laugh as everyone zooms quickly out of sight. First adventure over.

The next hilarious happenstance occurred on the drive home. We stopped at Merritt to switch drivers and get coffee at Tim Hortons ( FINALLY after about 2 months! I needed some Timmies!). So we walk in the door and Danae turns, flamboyantly gesturing and says something (I missed it due to what happened next) and her new bracelet flies off her wrist, hits the wall...and breaks! Beads go flying EVERYWHERE and for about 10-15 seconds we stand there completely frozen as these beads ping off of lights, windows, tables, chairs, the floor...everyone turns and stares in shock. As the bouncing settles to the floor, I smile, wave and say a small, "hi..." We laugh as we scurry around picking up the beads, chatting with the people. Some thought it was ice, some thought the glass had shattered. It was pretty amusing. I assured them that we just wanted to make an entrance and well, it was kinda fun to make everyone laugh. We were still laughing our heads off as we got in the car and drove off.

The final leg of the journey consisted of driving through spooky clouds of fog, obnoxious singing and dancing and finally a BEAR SIGHTING! Danae had been wanting to see a bear since Jackson so we were all very excited to see this little guy up on the hill. Unfortunately we went by too quickly to get a picture but it was all very exciting any ways and Danae was quite pleased.

Oh, another fun little tidbit. We had iffy weather the whole trip but it only really started pouring...as we enter Abbotsford. Yay...how I love this town. haha

if only...

Kaitlyn and I were talking today, about giraffes (I don't actually remember what got us onto this topic) and as some of you may know, and if you don't this is an essential tidbit of information about me that you SHOULD know (so PAY ATTENTION!!), I have had a dream since about grade 6...er... 6th grade for all you American readers, to ride a giraffe. Yep, that's right. I mean, riding any sort of exotic African animal would be cool but giraffe is definitely at the top of my list. So we were wondering if people do this, and if not, why? are giraffes endangered? violent? and then we got onto the topic of baby giraffes being born and dropping like 5 feet to the ground and maybe they didn't often survive this, making them endangered...so I had to do some googling.

I found out that people don't ride giraffes...I mean, there were some pics but I am pretty sure they are photoshopped...and they aren't endangered - well some subspecies are but as a whole, I guess the giraffe population is doing okay. The mothers will violently kick predators to protect their young but even when the males 'fight' each other, usually no one gets hurt. Oh and I didn't read anything that indicated that the babies are hurt in any way, actually they can stand within half and hour and run within 10 hours!

cutest little mommy-baby EVER

Other interesting facts:
- they walk moving both right legs and then both left
- drinking water is dangerous because of the position they have to put themselves in - easy to attack. Fortunately they can survive several days without drinking due to the moisture from their food
- way back when people thought they were a cross between a camel and a leopard...however that works
- their "horns" are really there to protect their heads not to fight
- babies can grow an inch a day!
- people poach giraffes for their hides, meat and tails - that's right, tails. In many African cultures they are used as good luck charms, fly-swatters and thread...
- no two giraffes have the same pattern of spots

So basically, giraffes are AWESOME and I love them and I still really want to ride one though I don't think it is going to happen. God is seriously so amazing! I mean, just looking at the world around us is inspiring enough but when you do even a little research into something, the details and magnificent intricacies of the earth and universe are astounding. I am constantly becoming more and more in awe of our amazing God.

partially albino giraffe!!