And they called it.....puppy love:)

It's been a really long week at work. Lots of really terrible things are happening to students in our community. I am finding it really sad to be at work this week...

On a positive note, we have a nice long weekend planned. Tomorrow we are going on a day cruise and out for dinner with my parents, my brother and his fiancee. I am really looking forward to relaxing on the water and drinking some wine with my mom:)

On Sunday, we are driving out to Kamloops to pick up our puppy!!!!!!!!!!!! Dusten and I are both really excited to having a dog. The community we moved into is very dog-friendly, and there are lots of parks and trails within walking distance. Here is a picture of our new little guy:

To My Mom......

To my mom:

When I was a kid, I loved that you kissed my cuts better, made home made cookies and treats, put up with my meat food fussiness (only eating the centre of the pork chop, only eating white meat chicken etc) did crafts with us, kissed us goodnight even when you came home on a midnight shift, came to all my band concerts and plays and baseball games, let me have the best sleepovers with my friends, sewed my patches and badges on uniforms (lord knows I could not sew!), took us camping, gave me lots of hugs and unconditional love, and always let me know you were proud of me!

As a teenager, thank you for the heart to hearts, putting up with the boyfriends you did not necessarily like, giving me limits and boundaries, supporting my leap to vegetarianism, kissing me every night before bed, our shopping trips to the city, finding a way for me to go to England with my class in the 10th grade, and always letting me know you loved me and were proud of me!

As an adult, I love cooking and drinking wine with you, shopping, our chats, your gardens, your strength, your kindness, your generousity, your fiestiness, your passion, your creativity, your loyalty, your spanokopita (even thought I can't eat it now I am vegan) supporting my veganism, cuddling under a blanket and watching TV with you, trying new recipes with you, and how you are the most beautiful woman I know, inside and out. I love you mom!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

First week in our new home

It's been a week, and except for a few knick-knacky boxes, we are all settled in to our new place. Our neighbours are very friendly, and people are very chatty and warm here! We still have a lot of work to do with furniture placement and some purchases we need to make. I passed on my childhood dresser back to my mom so she could refinish it for her "Asian" room, so we still need to get a new dresser. I really like the new Ramberg style ones they have at IKEA. We may get that and a bedside table to match. We are also looking at some patio furniture and a new set of table and chairs. Add to that some miscellaneous home items (plants and flowers for the garden, a stainless steel garbage can for the kitchen and some new towels and bed linens and curtains, and I think the place will really come together!

We had a lot of help moving, which was wonderful, and made the job so much easier. My mother-in-law and her husband came out to see our place the first night we were moving in, which was a nice surprise. She made sure that we celebrated Dusten's birthday by treating us to dinner at Earl's (my favourite...they have so many great veggie options there), and spoiled us with an IKEA gift certificate (which will be put to use!) and an entertainment centre which they no longer needed.

Dusten's brother, Jen and our nieces came out during the week to see our place too. It was really great to see them:) This weekend, Dusten's dad and Julianne came to take us out for dinner to celebrate. We went to Pasta Pollo, and came home and sat by the fire and looked at pictures. It really is nice to have a big enough place that we can have people over without feeling like you are tripping all over each other!