The Adventures of Us

Chapter One– The Move

Most of you know our reasons for the big relocation, but for those that don’t I am sure an explanation would be nice. I suppose it all started in June of 2008 . While visiting Ben’s family we heard that the local Arts Academy would soon be looking for a new director.  We had been aware that with Ben’s graduation from Trinity Western University with a BA in Music he would be looking for fulltime employment in the arts.  Curious at the prospect of living in Three Hills , I (Krista) looked into the Credit Union for potential employment. It just so happened that they were in need of a lender. Anxiously, we pursued both opportunities further and before we knew it we were signing an offer to purchase on a house.

Job opportunities aside our choice to move was impacted by many factors. A major one being that we needed a place where Jakob and our family could grow. We LOVED our condo in BC, however with soaring housing costs we would have struggled to get by. Moving to Alberta allowed us to purchase a home, I do not have to work full time and Ben can maintain a regular 40 hour week.  The past two years, although full of many blessings, exhausted us and forced us to live busy stress-filled lives. On top of everything, Ben’s parents and two brothers live in Three Hills so we were welcomed into the arms of a loving family and lots of cousins for Jakob to play with– This has proved to be an invaluable aspect of our decision.

All this to say, in  August we boxed up our Ladner condo with sadness and packed it into a u-haul…except it didn’t all fit. Who knew we had so much stuff? Thanks so much to all our dear friends who helped us those days. Needless to say, two u-hauls and a 15 hour drive later we arrived in Three Hills, Alberta and our new home. The next week was spent ripping up carpet and laying new floors. This was enough to tire us out so we moved in our things, accepting that this house would continually be a work in process. It is a good house, it just needs the Ewert love. There are three bedrooms upstairs, a big open living space and an unfinished basement which we managed to fill in no time with our extra junk. We have a spacious yard and an even bigger lot, attached garage (very important in Alberta) and  we are no further than 20 yards from the Credit Union  where I work. 

Chapter Two– Getting Settled

I couldn’t tell you what kept us busy for August and September but it seems a blur. Ben was able to secure temporary employment as the Arts Academy, although eager to hire Ben, did not yet have the funding required to offer him employment. We unpacked and made a trip out to BC for my cousin Sarah’s wedding in the Okanagan.  Early in September we received a message from a dear friend saying that he was coming to Three Hills for the fall semester and needed a place to stay. That is how Jon came to live with us. He has been a great addition to the house and we all appreciate him for different reasons – Soren is grateful that there is somebody to take him on runs since there is no way I am running in this cold weather, Jakob has another playmate as does Ben, and I have somebody who appreciates my attempts at homemaking and is always eager to eat whatever I make for him. (Ben here) I just want to interject and say that I do appreciate Krista’s homemaking for the record (Ok back to Krista). We settled into church quickly and have made a local congregation our home, where we are active in worship.  Ben’s older brother Jason and his family attend there  also which helped us get connected. It didn’t take long for Ben’s musical talents to be discovered.

October brought more transition as Ben finally secured a job with the Arts Academy. He now works part time at the Prairie Christian Academy and part time at the Three Hills Arts Academy. Hopefully this will turn into fulltime, however, they also decided to hire an administrator for him, so both positions had to be part time. Ben and I both were able to sing this fall in a Chamber Choir directed by our old choir director from college, James Janzen and thus began the craziness of Christmas.

Chapter Three– Coming on Christmas

In November, we were also blessed to have Ben’s Aunt Cyndy come and live with us. In return she took care of Jakob, which worked out well as the hours we needed a babysitter changed from 2 1/2  hours to 6 hours a day. So Cyndy watches Jakob while I am at work from 8:30-3pm and Ben gets home at 5:00pm, which is the most “normal” schedule we have experienced in our married life. Cyndy will be staying with us until mid-December.

At the end of November, the Arts Academy had their main Christmas production, which turned out to be a smashing success. Our Chamber Choir sang, as well as a larger community choir, there were handbells, narratives, a string ensemble and even a bluegrass band. Great times had by all and of course, everyone loves Ben and is so glad that he came.

So where are we now? Our tree is up, our stockings are hung, our main Christmas production is done and now we get to enjoy the season. We have discovered the joy of living in a small town like Three Hills during this time as we have participated in many fundraisers and activities that the town offers such as carolling at Midnight Madness, a Christmas tree and cake auction, Kids Christmas and much more.

Last night, we had the Arts Academy Board and Faculty over for a Christmas get together and this afternoon, we will have our nieces and nephews over to decorate Gingerbread houses, a tradition I will miss with my cousins this year and I felt needed to be carried on.  We are looking forward to having my dad and his wife here for Christmas and know it will be a great treat for Jakob.

Then who knows what the New Year will bring. Our lives have not settled as of yet and don’t think they will for the next few years anyway, but we are okay with that. Pray that we can find childcare for Jakob and that Ben can be full time at the Arts Academy.  And for those that do not know, we are expecting child #2 in June. If it’s a boy maybe we’ll name him Xavier Jakob…

We miss everybody very much, and today when it is suppose to be –30°C we are missing the fresh BC air…even the rain.

May the Lord Bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you peace during this blessed season.