Monday, February 25, 2008

friends

I've been back for a couple weeks now and am absolutely loving being home!!! I am so glad to be back...still feeling a little overwhelmed with all the stuff to do in my casa but I am finally starting to see some progress. My friends have been awesome and I just don't know how I did it without them for over 14 months.
Here is a pic of what I came home to, courtesy of my great friends.
My mother-in-law came and added balloons too...it was all very festive.

On top of all the decor my friends, Laura, Sheila and Sondra filled our fridge with goodies and had a menu planned for Sunday...breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. There were gift cards for a massage, restaurant, free babysitting coupons, movie tickets...IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!

It's so nice to pick up the phone and call them...locally.
I also so appreciate Amy and Eldon for coming a couple weeks before I came down and totally organizing Caleb's room and my stuff...check out these pics.


Amy and Eldon came down to see us President's Day weekend. We had a lot of fun catching up, playing wii, xbox 360, shopping, going to Joe's Crab Shack, pedicures...and just hanging out.

I went Scrapbooking at Sheila's mom's house last week and it was a packed house.
It was great to see everyone.

Last Friday after Angie's, "The Greatest Place on Earth" class...such cute ideas Ang, Sondra and I decided last minute to do a late nighter...thanks honey for watching all the kids:)

It was so much fun! We've also done lunch a couple times at Costa Vida...yummy!!!

Sheila also took Angie's class with her sisters and it was so fun to catch up and spend time together.

Laura and Sheila both stopped by at the late nighter to say hi (and use the birthday coupon...hehe)

On Saturday we had a BBQ at Gene's parents place...a welcome home thing that Gene had planned with his parent's help. It was a blast! It was a Open House sort of thing so not everyone was there at the same time which really gave us the opportunity to visit with everyone. Hopefully, I won't forget anyone but this is who came...Maria and Megan (who also came to the airport when I got home with a balloon that Caleb carried around with him for a week), Sondra, Cody, Jessica, and Riley, The Biggs family (Sheila, Sam, Macy and Samuel), Mike and Stephanie with their kids, The Shumway's, Sherry and Wendell, The Furner's, Davis's and Gary Storey. Ed and Noily came with the girls and of course my in-laws were there...they did a lot of work for the BBQ and helped make it the success it was.
Thanks everyone for coming...and those who wanted to come but couldn't make it.
It is so good to be back home.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!!!! A little about you

You still look as young as the day I poured hot chocolate on your hands more than once, (what can I say, I was nervous.....or was it clumbsy), we were near the bon fire and it was dark because the bonfire wasn't all that great. We must have poured 10 gallon of oil and that sucker still wouldn't start. I hope the EPA doesn't check this blog. It was Christmas time and we talked in the kitchen for awhile that night and it was when you had a feeling about me, and I, you. Maybe you should have just run when you had the chance. Your car had a flat and then you couldn't see me off at the bus station but I saw you a few days later with my family. Ok, more about you, What people may not know about you, that makes you "YOU"
1.You are mischevious, you always like to hide and scare people or just hide and you are good at it but at the same time you give yourself away if you have to wait too long.
2. You are empathetic but you are not weak, you have a strong will. You have been able to survive a horrible situation with not being able to come home, being a single mom and losing your mother all in the same year.
3. You hate food touching other food items on your plate, you would rather have separator plates mandatory in restaurants.
4. You hate taking medicine, you gag, choke and give the worst "sour" face that a child would give. But when you had Caleb, you now do it with a smile.....when he is watching anyway.
5. You are so creative....I know, everyone knows that about you. But you are creative with everything, not just craft things. You would always do things with Josh and the kids, the Choules, Caleb that would amaze me. One of your awe-inspiring qualities in my mind
6. You love hockey...not for the pagentry of skating but for the fights...I suppose most in your family wouldn't think this was a surprise. Favorite team Red Wings, and player Chellios.
7. You would stay in your PJ's the whole day if you could.
8. You are amazing at scrabble or word games
9. You love road trips, but after taking several trips from Hamilton to Sudbury and back again, that may have changed. We have had wonderful, awesome and amazing road trips to Utah and Sedona and Tombstone....you are great at organizing anything but especially trips. This leads to my next one.
10. You can pack a room in one suitcase if you had to, I would lift one of your suitcases and think "did they run out of the small anvils at the store?"
11. She has a two handed serve in tennis, ok I don't think she has tried it out yet but she thinks it will be the next big thing to hit the tennis circuit.
12. She is not competitive but she hates to lose to me.....ok, I hate to lose to her and she is a great sport, but she will agree that I am usually better at everything except board games and word games and puzzles.....
13. Loves Desparate Housewives, Grey's, American Idol and almost all of the reality shows out there.
14. She likes salty snacks over sweet desserts.
15. Her favorite food is Chicken but in the past five years has grown to enjoy steak more.
16. She likes to shop but not for hours like most girls do.
17. She is a night owl, she would always stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning consistently when she was younger and still till at least one, even when she is getting up at 6 in the morning.
18. She likes to pop bubble wrap, she uses it as therapy I think.
19. She hates to wear socks or her feet being warm. She would wear sandals year round
20. She is alergic to the cold weather....even though she hates the summers in Arizona there are some advantages at least for the last two points.
21. She can handle just about any situation and as much as I think I am a peace keeper she is great at being there for people and difusing situations but also will stand up for her beliefs.
22. She doesn't like breakfast, ok, she doesn't like eating right when she gets up and if she would miss any meal it would be breakfast for sure.
23. She can tie a cherry stem with her tongue and teeth...yes this will get a pg rating....in Canada.
24. Amazing eyes and lips....that part I hope that only I know
25. She knows about sports but not too much that would make me uncomfortable. Past experience, we don't need to go there.
26. She left her brother stuck in a sandbox when he was young, Mike jumped off the porch into the sandbox and he got stuck....she wouldn't let him out....although it was tit for tat with those two so I am sure that Mike got her back.
27. She has bad luck with trips sometimes. her bus hit a moose, she fell off a bus and broke or sprained her ankles. We missed our honeymoon cruise, not her fault, she didn't sleep at all the day previous because she was still preparing for our wedding. And she got stuck in Canada...We are hoping that this will break the trend...just kidding baby.
28. She loves Mexican food and the first restaurant was Filiberto's...she thought it was right across the street from the Arizona Temple, it was actually about 2 miles away. She still denies that I was right about that.
29. She doesn't like Tom Petty, Rush or Tim McGraw....ok the first two is right and the last we all she thinks is great.
30. Favorite cereal is Captain Crunch.
31. She has been to Bon Jovi concernt and touched his hands for about 5 seconds, caught Samboros guitar pick, hung out with glass tiger and enjoyed the Milli Vanilli concert
32. She loves acting silly and can do some cool animal sounds...elephant and gorilla are her speciality...she makes Caleb laugh and he is getting really good at those sounds because of her. I love the way she teaches and plays with him.
33. She stole my heart about 6 years ago and I love every minute that I have known my wife. I love you honey, have a good day even though it will be spent away from home. We will celebrate your birthday when you get here.

Monday, February 4, 2008

oh, happy day!

Well I received my visa in the mail today, (actually Feb. 4th) and I am totally excited!!!
I am going home folks! By the time I get home I will have spent 425 days in Canada!!! That is 9400 hours away from my home...husband, friends...564000 minutes without mexican food, scrapbooking stores, Jamba Juice...
It is finally coming to a close...2007 wasn't a good year for me but the future is already looking brighter. I can't believe that I am now, officially 33 years old! WOW!!!
I can hardly wait to get back to Arizona and get back to my life. I seriously have felt so many times this last year that I was an outsider looking in. It didn't feel like I was living my life. I wish that I could have woken up from that dream but now it's finally over...so here's to getting another year older and to new beginnings!
happy birthday to me!!!

Friday, February 1, 2008

montreal part two

Okay so I wanted to explain the collage of photos from Montreal but I haven't had much of a chance to do that...so here goes...
Caleb loved the train ride...although he thought it was a bus:) He kept singing The Wheels on the Bus and he tried to get others to do the same. He was dancing in the aisle and attracting a lot of attention. He's too much sometimes:)
We spent a lot of time walking and he was such a trooper. It was so hard for him and I did carry him a lot, which definitely makes me a trooper:D It was so cold in Montreal.
We went to a couple of malls and walked around. One of the malls we went to was the Eaton Centre and we had crepes and waffles...yummy!!! We had to have the real maple syrup of course. I was debating whether to have crepes or Mexican food...but I am waiting for AZ for the good stuff! Not only that, but the Mexican place in the food court just cracked me up...I mean where can you get a burrito and a poutine in the same combo? It was hilarious...the mexi/can combination.
Montreal is a city rich in culture. We walked by and took pictures of a church that was erected in 1845...St. Patrick's Basilica. Our hotel was actually just a few steps away.
I was grateful that I brought Caleb's harness...he hates holding hands and just wanted to run and although he'd rather play with his monkey harness than have it attached to him, he felt it gave him more freedom. I am loving the terrible two stage of him throwing himself down on the floor or middle of the street every 30 minutes or so...that is a lot of fun.
One thing that sucked about that train is no checked baggage which meant that I had to carry my suitcase, two bags, and Caleb everywhere!!! No wonder why I am totally exhausted even a few days later. Everything is totally catching up with me. I am so tired!!!!
The Consulate was an experience...we were there two hours. They confiscated 6 of Caleb's crayons...4 crayons are safe...10 is a threat.
It was intimidating having to do all the security checks and just waiting to be called up every 30 minutes or so for one thing or another. We had to be escorted everywhere! The meeting with the Consular officer went well and I was approved! Yea!
Last night I bbq'd some steaks...not a drop of snow around and today I woke up to this...
It hasn't stopped snowing!
I am still waiting to get my visa in the mail...hoping for Monday and home next Saturday....means I get to spend another birthday here, which totally sucks!

At least we are so near the end.

I need to give a couple shout outs...one to my hubby, Gene whose birthday it was on Sunday.
Happy Birthday Baby!!! I love you!!!

And then with a humble heart I give reverance to one of the greatest men ever...President Gordon B. Hinckley. His passing this week has made me contemplate many things in my life. I was going to do a post about how much I love our dear Prophet but Angie and Amy did such a good job on their blogs that I just amened them...but I truly am grateful for Pres. Hinckley and the legacy that he has left behind and for his wonderful example and teachings. I thank thee oh God for a Prophet to guide us in these latter days...


Have a great weekend!!!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

DONE

I should have my visa within a week. Everything went well today at the Consulate. Hopefully I will be home by next weekend:)
Thanks for all your thoughts and support. It's finally coming to an end. I can hardly wait to get back home!!!
Now, another train ride back to Toronto, then drive to Hamilton....lots and LOTS of packing...ARIZONA HERE WE COME!!!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Montreal

Here we are in Montreal.

I am still working on the

post but here is a little collage

of our stay so far. Enjoy!

Friday, January 25, 2008

snip snip


Today Caleb had his first "real" big boy haircut. Aside from a few trims while he was sleeping or squirming, this was the first time and he did so good. Even with the noise of the clippers he just sat there and...well I brought the DVD player as a distraction but he didn't even need it.
He's growing up to be such a big boy!
Terrible two's are in full swing so it was nice to have a moment like that.
I love my little/big boy!!!

another quiz

What time is it? 8:26am
What's your full Name? Nicole Anita Cope
What are you most afraid of? creepy crawly things
What is the most recent movie that you have seen in a Theater? Veggie Tales Pirate Movie
Place of birth? Sudbury, Ontario
Favorite food? chicken
What's your natural hair colour? brown with red highlights
Ever been to Alaska? No
Ever been toilet paper rolling? No
Love someone so much it made you cry? Yes
Been in a car accident? Yes
Croutons or bacon bits? croutons
Favorite day of the week? Saturday
Favorite restaurant? Costa Vida, Eastside Marios, Swiss Chalet...can't choose one
Favorite Flower? daisy
Favorite sport to watch? Hockey or basketball
Favorite drink? lemonade
Favorite ice cream? everything but the two twisted icecreams by B & J or Tiger Tail
Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney
Ever been on a ship? Yes-honeymoon
What color is your bedroom carpet? greyish
How many times did you fail your driver's test? None
Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? Gene
What do you do when you are bored? Play civilizations
Bedtime? usually around 1am
Who is the person that you are most curious to see their responses? Since I have already seen Amy's, anybody else that reads my blog:)
Favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy and the Hills
Last person you went to dinner with? Caleb
What is your favorite vacation spot? Would love to go to Hawaii
What are your favorite colors? Blue and brown
How many tattoos do you have? Six...j/k None
How many pets do you have? just one and it changes every couple hours or so....sometimes I feel like I am living in a zoo thanks to Caleb
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? the chicken
What do you want to do before you die? that is tough...I hope I am around for awhile because there are quite a few things I want to do
Have you ever been to Hawaii? I wish
Have you been to countries outside the U.S.? Canada and Mexico
Type the first word that comes to mind. Clifford (Caleb is watching)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

family in Arizona

I am calming down a little after the horrible snowstorms that we had to drive in this past weekend. There was a 100 car pile up just ahead of us and even the detour had three transport trailers flipped over which made us have to take alternate, very long, and slippery routes.
I am still extremely tense and my neck is so sore!

Anyway, I decided to take the train to Montreal this weekend with Caleb for my appointment with immigration. I really can't do the drive alone...not after the weekend I had. It will be difficult to not have help in a pretty "foreign" city and I am hoping Caleb likes the train.

Anyway, here's a video of Caleb last night...talking about his family in AZ and saying his abc's. He's so good at his abc's but any distraction....done:)

Have a great day! I will be unpacking, packing and cleaning. How fun!