Christmas Letter 2011

2011 was a crazy year. It started like most others, with January, February, March, etc, but then we decided we needed some excitement beyond watching the months go by. Christopher applied for a job in Calgary, Alberta and by the end of June, the remaining year would be unpredictable. We never planned to leave British Columbia and the thought of living elsewhere was heartbreaking. But the opportunity for Christopher was too good to pass up. In August, Christopher left for Alberta to start the job and find a home. In September, Natasha and the kids crossed the Rockies for their new home in Calgary.

Violet made the most of this year but continuing her 

curious ways. She still loves the convenience of the toilet for accessing water but has expanded her projects to include soaps, gels, lotions and powder. In one such adventure she was found in the bathroom at midnight with a bottle of shampoo emptied into a cup, both containers on the edge of the tub lined up with other containers one might find in the bathroom. With the beautiful row of containers behind her she set out to involve nail polish and nail polish remover. As soon as she was discovered she began cleaning up but the damage was done, the nail polish remover empty, the   shampoo empty but her curiosity fully satisfied.

Leif spent plenty of time riding his bike with cousins and friends. He rode so fast his training wheels could not keep up and so they were no longer needed. Leif still loves trains and big trucks, construction equipment and tools. But Leif loves playing with one thing above all else: clips... you know, the kind that can hold a bag of chips closed. Leif sleeps with clips, bathes with clips and eats with clips. We love Leif and Leif loves clips.

Lillias is a very unique girl. She is very sure of her own ideas and how things ought to be. Lilli loves to help with things around the house and especially in baking delicious treats. Lilli also lost quite few teeth this year. Traditionally, children wait until their teeth are quite loose to give them a little tug or let them fall out on their own. In true Lillias style she discovers a loose tooth and wiggles, and yanks on it, and pulls and pushes it until it has no choice but leave her mouth. In a 2 week period she had lost 3 top-front teeth and one on the bottom. Her smile lacked teeth but was full of character.

Miete turned 9 this year and had a Harry Potter Birthday party. Miete loves reading the Harry Potter books, watching the movies and telling everyone she knows about the characters. Miete loves making up her own songs, melody and lyrics. She has also begun to establish her own taste in music which in no way coincides with her parent’s music tastes. Miete wants to be famous for singing, dancing or acting. She has a flare for all things dramatic and loves to imagine herself at the centre of some romantic conflict. 

Natasha is a crafting predator. She seeks out crafts online and, armed with her sewing machine, gluegun, felt, fabric and creativity, she makes, designs & creates. She still loves running and in June she completed the Seattle Rock and Roll half marathon in a personal best time. Natasha is now preparing to be a personal trainer by submitting herself to physical pain several times a week (you should see her arms). Natasha also managed to pack most of the house, while Christopher moved ahead to Calgary, and sell the rest. 

(We have to mention the amazing help from great friends and family in BC; you are amazing.)

Christopher used 2011 to ride his bike as much as possible, change jobs, move to a new city and province and convince others he is not crazy. The biggest challenge was living in Alberta alone for one month while starting a new job and searching for a suitable home for the family. The bicycle commuting continues through the frigid winter months with some rides in minus 20 degrees Celsius. Christopher’s facial hair has reacted to the extreme cold by growing in a bearded fashion. 

We are learning to love Calgary and have been pleasantly surprised by how fun it is. It has a different beauty than the verdant landscape of BC but it’s good here. 

We love our family and friends very much and wish you all a Merry Christmas. 

Love,

The Barbers

10 Years of Marital Bliss

 10 years ago today at 3pm I think,  I was married to the love of my life, and although at the time I didn't think it was possible I love him so much more now. Look how handsome he is. Besides extreme good looks, he is so good to me. He cleans, and not just when I ask him to. He takes it upon himself to clean bathrooms, wash floors, vacuum, fold laundry, bath kids and change diapers, wash dishes and he even cooks sometimes. I never have to nag or ask him to do any of this, and there is never an argument among us about who's turn it is to do what chore. If I am away for a couple days or just an evening, I know I will come home to a clean house and clean, happy children. Who could ask for anything more.

  I think it was the birth of Miete when I really felt my love for Christopher grow exponentially. I imagine that is the case for most women. You have a child that comes from both of you, and therefore really connects you and makes you a bonded family. That a man can see his wife in such an unattractive, and icky state, and cling to her with such admiration amazes me. I'll spare the details of my graphic and horrendous first labor, but Chris didn't leave my side for 24 hrs except to take restroom breaks. He barely ate or slept and looked as emotionally drained as I was physically. It hurt him to see me suffer like that. That made me love him so much more. With each new child he has been my strength and support, although he has toughened up some over the years and been able to remove himself a bit from my suffering.

 Life is not always easy, in fact we have had our fair share of struggles, and I'm sure we will have more in the future, but I am thankful that in most circumstances Christopher and I see eye to eye. We seldom argue or disagree, and I know this is not because of me. Any minor bad feelings are quickly remedied because my Christopher is humble enough to apologize to me and avoid further discomfort. I am not saying I am always right, I am just saying he apologizes first because he is the better person. Christopher always says "A happy wife is a happy life."

 Christopher and I became great friends before there was any romantic involvement. We loved the same music, doing the same things and just generally had very similar tastes and styles. I think that is one thing that has attributed to us continuing to get along so well. We are best friends. We still love to go to concerts together, and live an active lifestyle. We love the same art and share cultural and political views, although Christopher knows a lot more about that stuff then I do. We love to have fun together, and we laugh all the time.

 I am a relatively insecure person, and for at least the first year of marriage I would watch my husband sleeping or playing his guitar, and wonder how I got so lucky. What did I do to deserve such a fantastic husband. I wasn't exceptionally clever or good looking, I had no great talents. Just the fact that someone like him could love me really built my self esteem. For the first several months together I wouldn't let Christopher see me without make up on, even when I wasn't feeling well. Crazy, I know. I have long since gotten over that, although I still try and look nice for my husband.

 I know this may sound cliche but I truly believe that to have any kind of successful friendship or relationship you must treat the other person how you wish to be treated, and you must be the person that you want to be with. It sounds simple, and it should be. Christopher has brought out the best in me and I hope I in him. I want him to always love me, and I know he feels the same so I will continually try to please him, as he does me. That I believe is the key to a successful marriage. Caring about the other person as much or more then you care about yourself, and make sacrifices. I hope everyone can be so lucky as to have a love like ours.

    The End

Oh, I guess I should mention what a fantastic father Christopher is. I often feel the kids love him more then me. He is the nice parent, the one that plays with the kids.

pre-beard