Meet the Parents

During this past week, I made the typical and necessary step involved in any committed relationship. . .I met Colin's parents.
Last Thursday, Colin and I drove in a rental van to the Toronto Pearson airport to pick them up for our graduation weekend. I was definitely nervous-all I knew was that his mom was already calling me "Jessy", which gave me flickers of hope. But I also had been told that his dad was a bit hard too read and very quiet.
I had butterflies in my stomach as Colin and I stood in the airport, watching from a distance as his parents waited to get their luggage. Finally, we were met by a petite women and a man who looked like your typical, lovable father figure. They greeted me warmly and we went in search of our van in the parking garage.
As we rode in the van and discussed which restaurant his parents wanted to go to, I could see their personalities beginning to explode right before my eyes. Colin's mother, Anita Jackson and his father, George Jackson, are complete opposites in every way imaginable. The dialogue between them was so amusing as they tried to agree on a restaurant. They would definitely get five stars in a modern day version of " The Out-of-Towners".
After entering and then leaving a couple of restaurants quickley, we finally decided to go with Montanas- much to Anita Jackson's delight. The food was good and the conversation went well- although I felt a bit scared whenever Colin would leave me alone with them at the table. But as the night went on, I definitely did get a bit more comfortable with them- as they are a very interesting and adorable couple to be around. Watching his mother, I can see where Colin gets a lot of his facial expressions and his sense of adventure. And from spending time with his dad, I noticed that him and Colin both start to wind down in the evenings, as they are both early risers.
So, it was definitely a colourful evening, and I did regret the many interesting conversations that I must have missed, while I sat in a deep sleep during most of the ride back to St. Catharines. It was a great night with reasons for myself to believe that I was well liked and approved of so far. Colin's dad even gave me a strong, side hug before me left them at the Travel Lodge Hotel. And now I'm looking forward to seeing them more as they stick around until Wednesday. But as for staying at their house in Saskatchewan this summer. .that's going to be a whole new adventure. .

Saskatchewan, Here We Come!

This summer, it's for sure- Colin and I are heading to Saskatchewan! Colin has been trying to sell his car for a while, and just found out last night that his parents are going to buy it off of him. So in July, we will be doing the 2 day drive, and hopefully for Colin's sake, I will learn how to drive stick before then. And instead of paying for a hotel, we're going to be camping along the way there.
In Saskatchewan,we will be visiting his parents (whom I still haven't met) and meeting his friends, and then saying goodbye to his Cavalier.
From Saskatchewan, we are planning to fly internationally from Saskatoon to South Korea. In South Korea, we will be attending a Holy Given missions school for 5 weeks.
Some people don't think that it was the best choice for Colin to sell his car. But honestly, we don't plan on sticking around in Canada for very much longer after we get back from Korea. We'll have to see what opportunities come while we're in Korea, but we definitely plan to launch back out. Colin and I both swore to each other that we wouldn't stay here and fall into a routine of living a normal life and being a slave to the pay cheque. "Death to complacency!" we say. And of course there is nothing wrong with living in Canada. .it's only wrong to live an unpassionate, unaffective, unSpirit lead life. .when there is clearly so much more, and not to mention a 10/40 window of 2 billion people who have yet to hear the gospel. The harvest is certainly plenty: 65% of the world's population is waiting for God's labourers- so let's go!

I Heart <3 Babysitting

I must admit that when I babysit I feel like a kid again. What better excuse is there to watch Baby Einstein (and learn sign language!), make play-dough animals, dig up worms, and eat fruit snacks until my heart's content? I usually babysit toddlers- and this works out well for me, as they are entertained by pretty much anything.
I love to babysit 3- year old Addison, and his 1-year old brother Austin. They are both growing up way too fast- but Addison still laughs at my jokes, wants to cuddle before bedtime and requests that I sing him the "banana song".
In June, I will be moving into this family's downstairs suite, which will be very interesting. I'm very excited to live on my own, and especially with a family that I know very well. But I've never lived with another family, let alone with kids that I babysit regularly. Hopefully I don't go from favourite babysitter to no-fun, never-around, never-wants-to-play big sister. But if nothing else, I can definitely count on more worm digging this summer.