"Smoke on the water"

So, it's been a few days, but I'm still on our trip to Montana. I thought we were going for a nice late birthday trip for myself, but it turns out that RKZ had ulterior motives: Kalispel is where Scot and Maggie live. Their garage is "tnt distributors" and they happen to sell the best smoker/BBQs in the world (according to RKZ). The BBQs are Traegers - we're having chicken on them tonight. Scot is retired military and was a cop in Santa Ana, Ca. We had a lot to talk about. It was really fun - Scot is legally blind, so his wife (I'm assuming) Maggie does all of the paperwork and website. RKZ brought down the Canadian price list and Scot was selling the grill we bought for around $300.00 (or so) less. I have to explain more later. It's time to eat!!

"Life is a highway...."

Most of the trip from the US border to Kalispel took us through the Blackfoot Indian reservation. (Blackfoot Nation). Indian days are July 12-15, if you're interested. Montana Vortex - House of Mystery! Come on, doesn't that seem cool?

And the eagle flies, with the dove -

The deer on our porch in Waterton. Buck and Doe - a photographic print 2008

The Prince Edward (I think) hotel/lodge. Closed for the winter, I think. They could have filmed the Shining here, seriously.

scenery

The "Welcome to the Blackfoot nation" statues. RKZ was impressed by the flags - they are wrecked by the wind out there.

Buck's favorite part of the hotel room was jumping from bed to bed.

He couldn't always make the distance.

So, he would crawl to my side the next time.

Bed fort.

Misplaced pic of deer crowd

I just accidentally looked into another blog and decided that bloggers are vain. Including me. It's funny that we think that anyone wants to hear about what we're doing. Right now, I am thankful for my family who mainly reads this to make sure we aren't dead, I think :) Also, I will work on not sounding pompous and all "finding the meaning of life-ish."

Back to Montana - sorry I skipped a day. I will have more time to blog tomorrow, so I'll finish the story even if you won't be able to read it until Monday. We detoured through Waterton Lakes Provincial park. When we woke up, there was a crowd of deer hanging out on the porch outside of our room. Buck (no pun intended) really wanted to get closer to the deer, but wild animals still freak me out, so he had to settle for about 3 feet away. When we walked over to the same restaurant for dinner, the deer seemed to follow us and the other patrons were very excited about that. It was a quiet, yummy dinner and I HIGHLY recommend a trip here. If you all come and visit, just think of the fun we'll have!

After breakfast, we actually headed back to the border crossing which had been closed. This time a nice, older border guard was there and seemed shocked that we had any trouble the day before. He gave us a good recommendation as to another way to travel (He mysteriously just said, "Duck Lake"). Turned out to be a side highway.

Most of the rest of the trip was good. We did have a few white out conditions from snow blowing into the road near the summit. We traveled past Glacier Nat'l Park and saw a few timeshare places that we wanted to immediately visit (but they were all back in the woods somewhere). One is Glacier Wilderness Resort. Click on the site and check out the cabins! Doesn't that make you smell the summer and just want to visit?

Anyway, we did arrive in Kalispel, MT around 3 pm. There is enough about Kalispel for tomorrow's post. The grill alone could have it's own post :) maybe I'll get RKZ to be a guest blogger tomorrow. See ya!

"What a long, strange trip it's been"

Family Photo at the hotel in Waterton Lakesfamily photo practice :)

The drive from the US border to Waterton Lakes. RKZ was a bit nervous as it got darker.

Most of the view between Calgary and the US border (lots of Prairie)

Seeing as how we went to Montana for the weekend and that this is the most interesting thing we'll be doing this week, I thought I'd post some pictures and some highlights from the trip.

First thing is that this past weekend is known as "Family Day" weekend here in Alberta (I think all of Canada, but I'm not sure). Bit of trivia that Alberta (our province) has a three day weekend every month, which is very cool. Over this family day weekend, there are also teacher "conferences" (seminars, not parent/teacher meetings) on Thursday and Friday - so, most of the school population has a 5 day weekend (if you can believe it). This is a HUGE time for families to take ski breaks, holidays, etc. At the last minute (last Wed or Thursday), RKZ and I decided that we should try and take that "birthday trip" to Montana just to see it and to have a few minutes at Target. RKZ also had the ulterior motive of buying a less expensive smoker BBQ (more on that later).

Well, it was a beautiful day in Calgary as we began our drive (Friday at 3, Buck & I picked up RKZ at his office) 45F/7C. The only bummer was that Buck was being literally baked by the sun streaming in the car (I'd removed those little "light shades" for the winter). He was crying and hot and we were more than a little bummed. Miraculously, we were able to put on a Diego DVD and Buck was relatively cured. Just imagine that we didn't want the included TV at first - we obviously didn't have a child back when we bought the car!

Well - long story longer, we got to the Canada/US border about 4 hours later. It was a nice drive, really, as RKZ and I were able to talk and listen to actual music thanks to the blessing of headphones for Buck. Everybody was happy.

Sadly, the route was closed for the evening. Bob the border guard was super helpful with his "Where you headed?" and "How you going to get there?" Bob seemed to think that our being about 6 hours from the next open border crossing was a very fine joke. We did stop in the Twilight Zone Duty Free shop at the border where three very bored employees sort of stared at us as we each used the restroom.

What to do?

We decided to head over to Waterton Lakes Provincial park. This is the Canadian side of Glacier National Park in the US. Even though we never expected this to be a part of the trip, it was amazing! We were so glad to pull in to this sleepy, tiny town on a huge, frozen lake. There were twinkle lights on all of the hotels/lodges and there was only one restaurant open in the entire place! We found a sort of rustic room in one of the lodges and went over to eat dinner. Poor Buck fell fast asleep on my lap after dinner! The food was really good and RKZ and I were able to have a few beers before our 1 second walk back to the room.

See? It really isn't the destination - it's the journey. You'll have to "stay tuned" to see what happened over our 3 day trip! More tomorrow!

"Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain"

We're about to have dinner (it's 6:28pm) and we were in Montana all weekend (or a lot of it). We are in love with Montana and plan to vacation there on a regular basis (and make all of you suckers come along with us). Please stay tuned for more posts about this Big Sky state and our second "Grady family road trip." (the first being our move here).

Let's just suffice it to say that Buck has watched about 2 years worth of TV at this point.

"Forgiveness, Forgiveness, Even if you don't love me anymore"

The technology-filled life of the 21st Century 2 year old.

I read this today and think it's really nice. It's something good to think about, anyway:

Hatred produces a response of hatred. Anger produces an angry reply. Violence engenders violence. In order to break this negative cycle, it is necessary to “do the opposite”. When you are hated, love. When you are provoked, be meek. When you are hurt, forgive. When someone does something evil to you, do something good to him or respond with a blessing. Many conflicts in society and in the world are due to the fact that man does not always know how to seek reconciliation. Asking for forgiveness or forgiving is frequently seen as a weakness. It is not at all a weakness! Forgiveness is something that requires great strength. Was it easy for Jesus to forgive those who crucified him?

"My Funny Valentine"

Buck coloring his V-day card from Grandma and Grandpa.
A little "high brow" coloring.
Taking the card out again this morning. Lovin' the race car!

We love you, Grandpa Duke and Grandma Duchess (and Sir Bailey).

Buck received the nicest Valentine from his Grandma and Grandpa yesterday. Such good timing! His favorite thing is to sing the 'mail time' song from Blue's Clues:

We just got a letter! We just got a letter! We just got a letter!
I wonder who it's from?

We had a great time singing the song last night. And then, low- and-behold, the Valentine's card has a car to COLOR inside!! O, the fun just never ends :) Buck loves it and had to color it again this morning.

Happy St. Valentine's day to everyone! I hope that you get some really great gifts today like peace and happiness and the knowledge that you are LOVED so much! (RKZ and I don't exchange gifts.)

Lastly, it's Grandma Duchess' birthday today. So I just want to take this second to say that I am so grateful for such a wonderful mother-in-law. The Duchess is kind and very thoughtful. She is one of the best hostesses I know and she always has a minute to show her family how much she loves us. I know that The Duchess is a gift from God to my life and to my husband and Buck. RKZ loves his mom so much. She taught him how to be a loving, giving man and I am so thankful that she was and is an amazing mom. We love you so much, Grandma N and we can't wait to see you again soon.

"Bob the Builder..."

Buck on "roly" at the local children's science center. They have a Bob the builder section.

So, I'm changing Buck's diaper yesterday and he says, "Can I see the white poop?" I was confused (and his poop was not white). He goes on to say, "The milk turns the poop white." I answer, "No, poop is always brown."

Buck says, "But blueberries turn poop blue." He had me there.

Logical extrapolation with a two year old. Who was very disappointed in his non-white poop.

"Blue's got a silly hat"

Me sledding at the "cabin house" in Colorado. I do have more recent pictures, but that would take actual effort to upload them.

Had a great birthday. RKZ and I actually went shopping by ourselves! I was able to go into Sephora without tiny 2-year old hands grabbing for piles of make up. Just a side note that Sephora gives a free gift for your birthday if you're a "beauty insider." I am still 15 years old, I swear.

RKZ also bought me a giant (feeds 10-12) ice cream cake (my favorite). We could only eat one piece and now we're saving it for Sundays since it's Lent. The most funny thing about my b-day was Buck's questions: "Mommy? Are we going to get a Christmas tree for your birthday?" (I had to tell him that we only get trees on Jesus' birthday); "Mommy? Are a bunch of ladies going to come over with presents?" (Uhhh....mommies just like to drink on their birthday, son); "Mommy? Do you want a violin for your birthday?" (Buck is in love with his music teacher, "teacher Jenny", who plays the violin).

Welp, it's time to breakfast. (and Blue's Clues, of course)

"You say it's your birthday!"

So, I'm 38 today. Yep - 2 years to 40. That is just freekin' incredible.
RKZ put up the family "Happy Birthday" sign this morning. It's a long cardboard banner that falls every 5 minutes. He is really great. We didn't go out of town - it snowed.
Birthdays are silly when you get older, aren't they?

Buck says that I'm getting a violin for my birthday. No, I don't know how to play the violin. :)

"Dancin' in the dark!"

RKZ and I went to the ballet last night: Dangerous Liasons. The people in this picture are actually 2 of the principal dancers (this is the ad for the ballet). The original story is from a French novel which has the form of letters written back and forth between these two really manipulative people (a man and a woman) who just seduce people for fun and power. There was a movie in the late 1980's starring Glen Close and Michelle Pfieffer (sp). It won a bunch of Oscars. The movie was remade with teenagers and called "Cruel Intentions." The ballet itself was staged in a cool way where there was a dramatic enactment behind a gauzy curtain and the dancing was in the foreground sort of representing the internal struggles of the characters and also representing a more full picture of the drama.

Anyway, there was a mixed reception to the ballet by RKZ and myself. I fully intended to be bored with just a bunch of dancing - and so I was shocked when I found myself riveted to the entire thing. I was shocked that 42 and then 30 minutes had gone by during each act of the ballet. RKZ was bored - bored and tired (a bad mix). My sweet husband said, "I liked that you liked it." Note to self (and all of you): no more ballets for RKZ. A funny coincidence was that we sat right by our social worker, Claire. She was about 3 seats away from us!

We are planning a trip to Waterton Provincial Park/Glacier National Park and Montana this afternoon/weekend. They are all about 3 hours away, so we thought it'd be a nice trip (and I could get to Target for my birthday). We currently plan to spend the night in Waterton and see some of Montana and then come home on Sunday. Sadly, the weather currently plans to blizzard this weekend, so we are playing it by ear. Have a good Friday and celebrate if you are anyplace you don't need to wear a down jacket outside.

"Won't you be my baby?"

Buck & his cousin, Pahina, playing in the pack-n-play crib at Christmas.

I posted that our adoption social worker, Claire, was coming a few weeks ago - but I had gotten the date a week off - and then her children became sick and so we had to postpone our first home study visit to last night.

Claire came over to our house at 6 after dropping her kids off at the local ski hill (only in Canada). She is originally from England and she has lived here for 5 years with her husband who works for (drumroll) BP!! RKZ was so happy that he didn't write anything negative about BP in his home study assessment papers (referring to why we moved so many times). We are guessing that her husband is pretty important in the company by the description of his job. It was a funny coincidence, anyway. And she and I had a few good laughs when we discussed "paternity leave" options for RK once the baby comes. These laughs revolved around the fact that she and I both know that husbands who work for oil companies rarely can take any time off (although RKZ is committed to doing whatever necessary, of course). It will be interesting to see what happens.

The home study itself will take 3 sessions. The immediate difference between using this private agency and our first experience of Children's Services (in California) is that Claire suggested that the last 2 studies be done on nights all within the next 2 weeks in order to complete our home study meetings quickly. We will be completely done with our meetings by Feb. 18th! And Claire told us that she will be writing up our study each week after she meets with us, so that she should be finished with the evaluation by the end of February and we will be on the list for birth moms to review. I asked Claire if this means we should get our birth mother letter and picture portfolio done and she said, "They normally ask that you have it in before the home study begins so that they can show your profile to a birth family immediately after the study is finished. It happens quite often that they are chasing down pictures and a letter because the family seems to be a great match for a birth mom's requests." Claire made it seem that everything moves rather quickly. It's exciting, but unnerving.

This first meeting was the "background" meeting where RKZ and I had to describe our "family of origin" and our experiences growing up. I'm sure you'll all appreciate that. Just so our families know, we did describe you all as perfectly healthy, happy individuals who are like walking Saints - so if anyone calls - be on your best behavior :) [don't worry, no one will call]. We had been through it before so it was a pretty basic meeting. RK even commented that it was more easy than he had expected - not too in depth. It was actually like having a long conversation with a new friend who just wants to know about your family. And Claire is very nice so it was easy to talk to her.

The funniest part was discussing "how many drinks you have on average." When I told her 3/4 weeks a month, she said, "That is how much everyone in Calgary drinks." We all laughed and I told her that before Buck, my answer would have been really different (as many of you know) but that it's hard to get up with a toddler in the morning after a night of boozing. RKZ's answer was awesome - I won't write it here, but he does work for the oil industry and drinking is part of his job - so you can figure that it's more rather than less. And RKZ rarely (if ever) lies about anything.

So - we've analyzed our families and our childhood lives (you all came out looking great) and I guess the next meeting is how RKZ and I met and how we parent. Buck was at the meeting last night and spent most of the time doing "stamps" and making a huge mess with the ink pad. He also used every trick to get attention from Claire. She commented that he "has really great sentence structure." My response was, "Yeah, you'll get to hear a lot of that during the meeting." She just laughed, but I wasn't kidding. I do think that Claire will ask Buck about his feelings on getting a sibling and sharing, etc. He told me that he'd like a sister a few days ago. We'll see how he responds when it's going down on paper. Our next meeting is next Wed. night, so I'll keep posting about the process!

"Bang your head!!"

Funny things people say to you on Ash Wednesday:
1. "Uhhh, you have something on your head"
2. "Honey! Wipe that dirt off your head."
3. "Do they still do that? I thought that was a Medieval Times thing (not sure if she meant the jousting dinner show place or the time period). "
4. "Seriously? What happens when you get that stuff? Do you just walk in and everybody gets it put on their head or something?"
5. "Uhhhh, you have something on your head." (I wrote that twice because it happens about 100 times & every few minutes).
6. "I had a friend who was Catholic in High School so I started 'doing Lent' because she would get that ashes stuff."
7. (after explaining that it is a continuation of what the Jewish people used to do as a sign of penance) "Well, if the Jewish people can do it then so can you Catholics."

People seriously made these comments today. I only had visible ashes for a little over 2 hours and this was the result. Made me laugh, mostly. Everyone was very nice about it. One lady even said, "well, at least you know who would tell you if you really had dirt - that you didn't want- on your head." At least. :)


Have a blessed Lenten season and remember that it's really about how much God just wants to love you.

"Sunday, Bloody Sunday!"

Last month, my nephew KK, was baptised in Portland. Here is his dad, Coach K1 & me & KK.
Hoonka & Coach K1 after the baptism.
The Priest who performed the baptism is a good friend of mine from college and NET. Here, he is actually making a face at me (that one where you put your thumb on your nose and blow). It looks like he's performing some duty - nope. Funny, though.
The Coach K1 family. Coach, A-man, Hoonka and KK. They're all so cute!

We threw a little "nobody-in-Canada-cares-about-the-Superbowl" party last night. Three families had to cancel and we were left with one family of 6 and 3 college-aged American girls. It was a fun party and we were all over enthusiastic about the amount of food we had (too much after the cancellations). I am happy that Eli Manning won but didn't really care about the game too much. The 4th quarter was good and the commercials were ok. Our crowd loved the NFL spot about the player who was first a grocery store worker & the planters commercial. I guess we were just too busy trying to finish desserts and beer :)

Buck has been continuing his quest to talk more than anyone whose ever lived. His new favorite is to call himself "baby hippo/whale/gorilla" none of the alter-egos talk. They just "cry" with little kitten sounds. He also only refers to me as "mamma hippo/whale/gorilla." The best is when he says, "mamma whale" in public. I have no pride left, really.