I Finally Have Time to Write...

Hi all, Keeping a blog is a great idea, a great way to let friends and relatives in on what's happening with the Goertzen family. However, writing on it regularly can be challenging. As many of you know, there has been a recent addition to the Goertzen clan. The name of this beautiful addition is, of course, Avery Caroline Fahlman Goertzen. AND she is gorgeous! She was born March 15 to Jason and Shelley. Grandpa and Grandma spent time with her and her parent in April. Grandpa and Avery spent quality time on the couch on a Saturday afternoon with Avery asleep on Grandpa's chest while he slept! Nothing is better than developing healthy activities with your grandchild! Looking forward to visiting with her again really soon. Jason finished another year at Augustana College. He seems to be enjoying his work there. Shelley is trying to keep up with her sleep while feeding Avery every 2 to 4 hours. They're going to make great parents! Scott is trying to find a permanent position teaching somewhere. He's had a few shots at maternity leaves, but so far no luck. I've got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed for him. I'm hoping for some position in or near Regina. I really don't want both of my children so far away for us. But if it happens, then we'll have to adapt. He's enjoying life still and is planning on working at the Willow this summer again to help with his expenses. Deb is still working at Rosemont. It's a nice school with a good staff; her rookie principal is a friend of mine and is pretty good at her tough job. They seem to be working well together. Her health has been a lot better since last spring and only been off sick with the occasional cold or flu. (Touch wood) She's kept busy most of this spring with scrapbooking our trip to Hawaii in February. What a trip! We cruised 4 of the islands and stayed a couple extra days before and after our trip in Waikiki. Wow! Enjoyed every minute of it. We had our share of rain in the 9 days that we were there but all in all it was a great holiday. You know the kind - one that you need another holiday just to get over the first! She loves being Grandma, shopping at mall has a new twist - the baby section and trust me, she never misses a chance for a visit to that section and rarely does she NOT buy something! I'm still at Janzen, love it! 6 hours daily + walking out exactly at 3:30 is quite enjoyable. The kids I work with are great! The staff is fantastic - the outlook looks good too. My photography business is about the same - I have no weddings this summer, but one in Sept. and another next February. I've got a few sittings to keep up my skills and to keep me somewhat busy. I've done quite a few sittings this spring and it seems to be going fine. Looking forward to a relaxing summer and a chance to get out and do some scenery shots. Both Deb and I will be at the lake a few times with friends, but mainly it will be Deb at the lake trying to keep the place in order and me keeping the home front upright. Try sending us an email, would love to hear from all of you and tell us what you're up to. Love to all, take care. Rene

Wow, seems like a long time...

Funny how time flies... Scott return home March of 2010, finally! Glad to have him. He's been subbing for the Regina Public Schools waiting for a full time job from them. He's planning on working for The Willows Restaurant for the summer and returning to subbing in the fall. If Regina Public doesn't find him a job, I think they'll lose him to a school somewhere out west (closer to the mountains). *crossing fingers* I'm hoping that Regina Public does hire him, it would be nice to have one of my children close to home. No, he's not marriage, but enjoying life.

Jason and Shelley are still in Wetaskiwin, AB. Shelley traded her intense job for one that a bit nicer at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton. Yes the commute is a bit longer but the job, she says is much nicer! They've put in a new brick patio in the back and are planning some more for their yard over the summer. Jason and Shelley are planning a trip home this summer for a wedding of one of Jay's best friends, Shaun. Jay finished his second year at Augustana Campus and he seems to enjoy the professor's lifestyle. He keep busy with his many research projects and class preparations.

Deb has been laid up a few times this spring, once with an infection and twice now with gastritus. She seems to be on the mend now and hopefully will have a relaxing summer at the cottage. She's taken up photography like me as now she has my old Nikon D40. We've both taken a short photography class together and we've both learn lots and she seems to be getting better at it.

Me, I'm busy as ever! I've taken 3 levels of ASL (American Sign Language), still bowling twice a week, coaching on Saturdays during the winter. Last year I took my first trip to Nationals YBC Competition in Quebec City! My team took silver! I was proud of them. This year's Nationals were in Regina, where I helped somewhat. I've photographed two weddings both turned out better than I expected. Both brides were excited about what I had produced. My job, interpreting was just temporary for one year. I bid on a permanent interpreter's job last June and got it. So, I'm in my second career! I'm going to try to work at it for about 4 years (or until my arms give out!) then I will 'retire' from full time work. I may go back and substitute teach or sub as an interpreter, but I will be finished with full time. Deb and I want to travel more in the winter time to somewhere warm and we're tired of paying the high season prices. We both did Cuba at Christmas time and really enjoyed our time there. We will go back in the future!

Don't forget to email us and let us know how you're doing! Take care until next time!

Rene

Okay, Sue Me...

I haven't blogged lately. I know, I know, that I should do it more, but things have been a little hectic around here.

Let's start with the boys, as usual... Jason has started his second semester teaching, going well still. Shelley has found a job! She will be a doctor of psychology in Ponoka, at the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury. She was excited about it. She started Jan. 11. Furthermore, they bought a house in Wetaskiwin, AB! It's 2100 sq. ft; ample space to have family over and an unfinished basement to renovate. They both have to commute, but they each will have only about 20 minutes to drive! Their moving date is at the end of January.

Scott, at last email was on the island of Santorini (one of the islands of Greece). He has had some neat adventures so far and has included some of them in his emails. Too many to start talking about them here. They (he and a friend) have plans on staying in Greece for about 2 weeks then back to Rome to travel to Vienna, Austria and beyond. They are hoping to be in Sweden sometime in April or May. Home will be in June (or when the money runs out) for Jason and Shelley's wedding.

My mom is doing very well. She has settled nicely into her Benson Manor senior centre and she's enjoying the people and the activities very much. She's got a few more friends there that help keep her busy.

Deb is still working. She's helping her dad get out of his house and into a senior's centre, hopefully in the near future. She's keeping busy.

Me. Still working. Still trying to get some photography gigs; I've got one in May with another hopeful in late July. My interpreter's job is temporary until June with great hopes that it will turn permanent for me for the next 3 to 5 years. THEN I hope to completely retire (maybe...)

Please, all of you, take care. Try to send us an email and tell us how you're doing. (include pictures if you want!)

Lovingly,

Rene