September 2007

Hello Everyone!!

Here we are the end of September!! The kids have been in school for a month now, harvest is still not over and I think snow is not to far away!! So what did the Ferguson Family do this month!!!
September long weekend was spent with Jamie in the tractor in field!! Jamie was in charge of the grain cart this year.... for people who don't farm this is how it works....Jamie work's for Pask Farms !! They run an alfalfa farm but also great barley, wheat and canola!! They own two combines and two grain trucks!! So what happens is the grain cart goes between the two combines getting the "loads" from them to dump into the grain truck... the grain truck then goes to the farm to dump into the bins!! The grain cart is pulled behind a tractor!! There was enough space in the tractor to fit Jamie, myself, Surafel and Elshadai!!! If we wanted to spend time with Jamie... we had to go to him... Harvest is long hours... Jamie went to work at 8am and alot of times he didn't get home until 1am!! The kids were pretty good...as you can imagine.. not much space in the tractor... We had Elshadai and Surafel both driving the tractor.. which proved to be interesting... Surafel drove like he had done it before...straight down the field towards the combines... Elshadai on the other hand ....well just let's just say .... it will be awhile before we would give her a car to drive!! lol

The kids attend Youth Group in Esterhazy every other Monday so they have been attending this and Catechism is about to begin too!!!

We have decided that the kids will on go in a Music program during this school year.. We have choosen to attend "Music for Young Children" program this is every Tuesday in Stockhom ( a neighboring community)... it is great.. mom or dad has to go with the kids!! So I am back learning music!! There is only 6 kids in their class... Jamie and I are just amazed how quickly they have picked up the music. My grandmother decided to go and by us a piano!! Since this program is 4 years long .. we will need ed something for the kids to play !!!

This past weekend we had a Saskatchewan Ethiopian Get together in Regina!!! It was great as always!! Seeing the kids grow.. hearing about new referrals and again meeting new families who have just started the process!! We stayed with Shelley, Bill and Family in Moose Jaw.... always a great time with them!!

This weekend is pretty low key!! Catching up with everything, cleaning up around the yard and getting ready for winter!! But next weekend we are off to Saskatoon for Thanksgiving!!

Talk to you all soon!!!

Lana Lee Ferguson

August Fun

August was a busy month...
First thing we did was attend CAFAC BBQ our annual camping weekend!! As always a great time meeting up with other families who have adopted, or who have started the adoption process through the CAFAC Adoption Agency!! It was nice to finally put faces to names!!! This has been our 4th year attending this BBQ!! IT is amazing to see the kids grow and grow each year!!!

After the bbq it was time to focus on getting ready for school.. took the kids school supply shopping!! We are thankful for Grandmas ...... Elshie's and Surfie's grandmother help out this year by buying their school supplies!!!

School wasn't even start and Jamie was out on the combine!!! Which is hard Jamie worked from 8am to somtimes 1am.... On the weekends we would join Jamie out in the truck !!!

School has begun..... we have been in session for a couple of weeks!!! Surfie came home from school on Wednesday with a cold just raging!!! Elshie woke up with it on Thursday!!! And I got it on Friday!!! (Shawna I guess you warned me!!!)

Well it is September 9 three of us with colds... Jamie somehow has gone untouched...but he is complaining of headaches, tiredness, and just general ugghh!!! I sure hope he doesn't have West Nile!!! So I will see what we do in a couple days!!!

West Nile is just raging in Saskatchewan!!

Talk to you all soon
I will leave you some pictures of the kids... My mom and I went out one morning before school started and just went around to different farms and took pictures of the kids!!

Lana Lee Ferguson







The kids were so good!!! We took 150 pictures... no complaining, whining!!! Just smile!!! Hit them on a good day!!!

Beach and Boats

Well once we got back to Nova Scotia after a wonderful trip to PEI.... we just spent our lazy days of summer doing things around Pictou!!
Near Jamie's house is a beautiful beach that we took the kids to to pick sea shells!!!
Jamie's friend Bubba just bought a lobster boat this year. He took us for a ride one day. We toured the Pictou waterfront and then decided to go out to Pictou Island. One this island the only modern conveince to telephone!! As you can see the kids had a ball... didn't quite get their sea legs though.... Bubba let them drive the boat!!! On the way back from the island we ran into a storm... for us Prairie folk the waves were just a little too big and a little too much ....... the rain was a little too much .. and now I am sure it is going to take a while for the kids to back on boat!!! Oh, well. We had fun made it back safe and sound... a little more wet than when we started!!!
When we were in Pictou it was during Lobster Carnival.... so Jamie got to see some old friends of his and catch up on times!!!
The kids got to experience their first Carinval Rides thanks to their Aunty Alicia and her boyfriend!!!
Pictou still holds annual SoapBox Races for kids!!! That was fun to watch!! I flew home on the 12th of July to start my new job... Jamie and the kids came home on the 23rd !!!



I found it hard to be without the kids.... It is sure nice to have the kids and Jamie at home!!

July Trip

During our trip to PEI we took the kids to Shiny Waters in Cavendish..... We had so much fun that Day!!! I only posted some of the pictures of the kids..... The kids in the boat.... Elshie and Surfie loved this ride... The fish picture is just so precious....
Memories of this will never be forgotten.. by The Ferguson Family!!

Fun

During supper it started to rain buckets!!! After supper we went up to Cavendish to do some shopping!! The next day was a cooler day so we did some more shopping and sight seeing!! It is always a great time on PEI!!! We went to the toy factory, Jam company, a drive up the coast!! When we went to the Toy factory... the staff told our kids everthing was fair game..... they could play with everything!! One lady asked if they wanted to learn how to make wooden cars!!

The drive up the coast was BEAUTIFUL !!! We wanted to walk along the water but I am sure that we would have needed our winter jackets that day!!

July 1, 2007

Today we got up around 9am and decided that we were going to take the ferry over to Prince Eward Island at 1pm!!! Once done at the ferry yard we walked around and took some pictures!!

Once we got on the ferry we walked around and took some pictures!!! Half way through the ride the kids had had enough!!! Didn't want to go back on the boat!!

Once we got onto the Island we drove into Charlottown got some supplies and went onto the Campground where we were staying!!!

Once we got set up and realized that is was already 530pm... and getting onto supper.. that is was to late to meet up with the other Ethiopian families... the campground was 45 minutes away!! So we decided to head to North Rustico for supper.

North Rustico is home to the 60 foot Salad bar!!! The resturant was called Fishermen's Wharf. We get there and the lady asks us "what we are having for supper??" I asked for the lobster supper, Jamie and the kids had just the salad bar.... so then she proceeded to ask how old the kids are??? I stated they are 5 year old twins.... Surfie decided he wanted to be a jokester and stated but mom I am six and Elshie is five!!!! The lady looked at me and smiled!!! I say honest I have ID.... stating that I have 5 year old twins!!! She just smile and said you may continue on to your table!!! lol

I will continue to update you tomorrow on what the happened on the rest of the week tomorrow!!!

Lana Lee

Flight to Nova Scotia

Well I was so excited to go to Nova Scotia on Saturday... I was up at 6am and gone by 7am!!!
I travelled to Regina that morning to catch a flight to Toronto then onto Montreal and last on to Halifax!! What could go wrong... enough time to transfer, get a bite to eat and be in Pictou by 11pm!!!

When I check into Regina Airport the guys last words were " Madam, you don't have time to stop for Tim Hortons in Toronto this is a VERY tight flight so please go quickly!!!

So I settled into my seat.. took off.. started my movie.... landed in Toronto..... Made my connection!! He was right they were boarding the plane by the time I got there!!!

We got onto the plane .....and sat there, sat there, and sat there. First they told us that we were waiting for a connecting flight.... 2 passengers. Then we were told we were waiting for the pilot who was delayed... Then last we were told Aircanada never schedule a "Pilot" for this flight..... that they were trying to locate one!!! To fly us to Montreal!!! HOW DO YOU DO THAT?????

So after 1.5 hours wait.... we were finally on to Montreal.. then Halifax!!!

We got home safe and sound!!!

Lana Lee Ferguson

Answer!!!

The answer to the question below is " One bit at a time"!!! We were told to take one minute, one hour, one day at a time!!! Only do what you can do not what you thinks needs to be done!!!

Lana Lee Ferguson

Secrets

Tonight after talking to my family I turned on the TV and the show "The Hour" was on. Tonight they had this guy on there that has a blog and has written a book or two!! Frank's blog is dedicated to "Secrets" of people. You can email or mail homemade or bought postcards to him about secrets that you need to get off your mind, chest, or just in need to tell someone and have never been able to tell anyone!! On the show he stated that he receives around 1000 postcards a week from people telling him their "secret" and then every Sunday he posts I think 20 new postcards on the website!!

Some of the postcards you can relate too and others you think how sad for that person...... They have a comment section which I think that the website could do with out....

But anyway here is the site www.postsecret.blogspot.com One of the comments that Frank made on the tv show tonight was how many times after posting the "secret" the sender has replyed back to Frank stating how it helped that person just to get it off of their chest..... or just by sending the postcard how a weight was lifted off of their shoulders!!

In today's world we are so busy working, trying to keep up with the Jonees, and taking care of everyone else that we forget how to take care of ourselves..... and only realizing sometimes what truly is going on when it is all most too late!!!

A little different post tonight....

Jamie and I were these people..... work,work,work, go, go, go never taking time for ourselves!!! This spring reality set in that we have had to learn to take it easy.... learn to take care of ourselves..... I was asked a couple of weeks ago by someone "What truly has to be done in a day that couldn't wait to be done tomorrow?" .....That person went on to say for example.. if your house is on fire you really can't put it off till tomorrow......but that if you are enjoying time with your kids....the weeds in the garden that are already 3 feet high can wait to tomorrow to be picked!!

This same person asked my husband "How do you eat an Elephant???"

The answer to this question is how he thinks we should live our lives....... Does anyone know the answer???

Until tomorrow!!!

Lana Lee

Lazy Days of Summer

I just got off the phone with my family!! They were all getting ready for bed!! Nova Scotia is 3 hours ahead of Saskatchewan!!! The twins were in the bath tub and Jamie was having a shower!!

I got to talk to the twins first!! They were all excited about going down to the big `lake` and taking pictures of all the boats..... Lynn (Jamie`s mom) tried explaining to them that the BIG LAKE was the ocean... but being who they are stated that that was a lake!!! lol

The next thing they were excited about was going to the farm.. Jamie`s family has a dairy farm .... They played with their cousins in the afternoon ..... went home for supper and back to the farm for more playing!!! Before they left Elshie stated that she wasnt going back to that stinky farm!! During christmas we had gone to Nova Scotia and took her into the dairy barns with all the cows!!! She said that those cows stink and poop everywhere!!! Elshie is a very girly girl!!!

They had to inform me that they had LOBSTER for lunch!!! lol.. knowing full well how much I want to have some fresh lobster!! Elshie and Surfie said they left some for me!! lol

Jamie was in his glory too today!! He got to do yard work.. trim trees, cut the grass... you know what we all consider work!!! Tomorrow`s feat is to finish trimming the trees and tackle the flower beds to have them ready for me!!!

I said to him you know this is suppose to be a vacation!!! lol Oh well whatever makes him happy!!!

I will leave you some more pictures from this past weekend of the kids!!

Lana Lee

Different

Yesterday was a long day and sad day!! I took Jamie, the kids and my mother in law to Regina so they could fly out to Nova Scotia!!! I stayed behind to finish up school so that I am ready to start my new job when I get back from Nova Scotia!!!

Today was my first day away from my kids and husband and I am already counting the days before I fly out!!! I leave saturday from Regina!!!

The house is pretty quiet, just the dog and I, some music and the sound of the computer keys as I am typing!!

This house hasn't been this quiet since well before the kids come home!! I had all these things planned....for when they left... you know.... clean the house, clean and organize the kid's bedroom, weed the garden.... all can think about is Jamie, Surfie and Elshie!!!

On a different note...... Once I get to Nova Scotia we are all headed over to PEI to meet up with the other adoption families!!! One couple are about to leave to get their two girls!!! Another lady just got her refferal.... it is always great to see this!!! Another family just came home a few months back with a set of sibs... making them a family of 6!!! I am sure hoping that the family we traveled with from NB will be there too!!! As always we will have a great time talking and visiting with the families!! After this I think the plan is to stay in PEI for the next few days!!!

When Jamie and I got married 6 years ago we honeymooned in PEI!!! So we would like to take the kids back now and show them what a beautiful province it is!!! Last time we were there we went to Ghephettos Workshop - this is where the man made puppets from wood !! They were such a great couple.....I hope this place is still there!!! We also went to a place called Woodleigh - there they had castles made to scale!! If I remember right there is a place called North Rustico too that had a restuarant with a 60 foot salad bar!!!! I have very fond memories of PEI and am very excited to be going back during the summer again!!!

I have the kids already pumped about the red clay that PEI has!!! They wanted to take jars so they could show everyone back here the red dirt that they got to play in!!! lol

At the graduation party we had for the kids.. one couple gave them a camera and photo album for each of them to save their memories of their family vacation!!! They also received some money so they could buy things to bring back from their trip!!!

I will keep you posted on our travels !!!

Lana Lee

Graduation Day

Kindergarten Graduation Day!!

Today Elshie and Surfie graduated from Kindergarten!!!

Jame's mom, Lynn flew in on Wednesday from Nova Scotia to be with us this weekend and then fly back with Jamie and the kids on Monday!! So Lynn, Jamie, Marie (The kid's great grandmother), Gloria (my mother), and myself went in to watch the kid's graduation!!!

We will be holding a Graduation Party for Elshie and Surfie tomorrow at mom and dad's farm.

Here is a few pictures of the proud graduates!!!

Lana Lee Ferguson

Good Day!!!!

Just a quick post tonight!!

Jamie and I put the finishing touches on the sandbox today!!! We put the back on, the last two benches and then put the swing set in the box with the help from a neighbour and the kids!!!

Here are a few pictures of the kids and their new sandbox!!!

Lana Lee

Father's Day

Well I guess I will start by saying that I would like to Thank Shelley for fixing my "picture" problem!! I am not a computer "techy" person!!

So now on with Father's Day - Anyone who knows my family will know that "Duchek's" do everything "BIG"!! I am sad to say I think it has spread to us younger generation "Duchek's" too!!

This weekend we decided that it was time the kids have a sandbox!!! So on Saturday Jamie and I went into Esterhazy to buy some lumber and started to build the sandbox!!! By supper time we were ready for sand but we couldn't haul sand until Sunday - Father's Day..

We woke up on Father's Day to RAIN!!! RAIN and More RAIN!!!

My dad and mother came over with the grain truck and took the kids and went to the sand pit!! I guess I should tell you the size since we needed two grain truck loads of sand!!

We decided that the sand box should be 32 feet by 20 feet so we could put their swing set in it!!

So through the rain and wind Jamie, myself, Elshie, Surfie, Shilo (Our Dog) and my father filled and leveled out the sand box!! My mom cooked lunch and watched from the inside!!

Here is some pictures from our father's day adventure!!

Lana Lee

Change of Plans

Hello Everyone,

I know that I haven't posted for awhile so here is a little update:

I have formally accepted a position with Sunrise Health Region a couple of weeks ago!! I will be starting my new position as Regional Health Information Manager on July 16!!! I am so excited.. I gave my notice to my old job about a week ago.

We have decided to fly back to Nova Scotia now just because of time ... Jamie and the kids fly out June 25 from Regina and I fly out June 30. Jamie and the kids are flying back on July 21 and I will be flying back on July 12. I have to leave later just because I am finishing up some school commitments!!

We are still planning on venturing out around Nova Scotia and spending some time in PEI. We also hope to catch up with some of the Adoptive Families while we are in the Martimes!!

Lana Lee Ferguson

Went Back to School

Well today I went back to school.... that is kindergarten!!! I decided that since I am not working that I would volunteer some time at the school!! I am not sure what I was thinking when I phoned the teacher and said sure I can come in and help!!??? What do you need and how many days would you like me to come in!!??

I get there at 8:50 in the morning so proud... excited.... just pumped to spend the day in the classroom with the kids!!! Well by 9:10am I was thinking what would be the easiest way out!!! lol

In Elshie's and Surfie's class there are 21 little kids...... I now know I am not teacher material!!! Do you know how loud it can get when 21 kids say "MRS. LIPPAI" (this is there teacher)!!! Over and Over again!! That teacher ranks right up there with god!!! All I have to say she defiantly has found her calling.. she was great with the little ones!!

I did land up staying to about 2:30pm helping out the teacher... I made it!! And I am going back on Friday to help with the graduation hats!!! My babies are graduating from Kindergarten on June 22, 2007!!! I am excited and so proud of the kids!!

Lana Lee Ferguson

Pictures

Ok.. so my first attempt at adding pictures didn't go so good.... That sure is a HUGE picture and it is too late into the night now to fix it!!! If anyone could help by leaving a comment as to what I did wrong!!! That would be great!!

Anyway the picture that I posted is one we took when we were in Ethiopia picking up our kids!!! This is my favourite "landscape" picture !!! I think it shows the true beauty of Ethiopia's countryside.

I am heading off to bed now and hopefully I can figure out how to SHRINK that picture in the morning after a good strong cup of Joe!!

Thanks for Reading

Lana Lee Ferguson

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Hello Everyone!!

After much thought and an ok with Jamie I have started to blog!!

A little introduction of the Ferguson Family:
James - Born in Pictou Nova Scotia and lived there until the mid 1990's when he moved to Calgary Alberta. This is where Jamie and I met.
Lana Lee - Born in Atwater, Saskatachewan and lived there until I graduated from High School. I went off to school and moved to many different towns for about 3 years. I moved to Calgary in 1997 , met Jamie in 1999 and moved home to Saskatchewan in 2001. We brought home Elshie and Surfie in November 2005.
Surafel - Born in Addis Abba, Ethiopia Surafel enjoys soccer, grandma's cinnamon buns and is just finishing up kindergarten.
Elshadai - Born in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. Elshadai enjoys a little a bit of everything, grandma's oreo cookies, and is just finishing up kindergarten too.

Jamie and I have decided to take some time off of work and travel the country. We will be starting out on June 23 (Our 6th Wedding Anniversary) to travel back to Pictou, Nova Scotia. During our trip to Nova Scotia I will update everyone where we are and what we did that day!!

I think that is all for now!!


Once I become better at this "bloggin" I will post pictures and videos!!

I hope everyone will enjoy our trip as much as we will!!

See everyone when we get back!!

Lana Lee Ferguson