Mark and Jennifer

Jeremy’s Best Friend
Jeremy had many wonderful friends that he cultivated and shared his life with.  Mark was his Bro’.  Mark was someone that Jeremy played hard with, had long evenings with, laughed, cried and argued with.  They helped each other when they were ‘down’ and perhaps knew each other as well as brothers.

Our friends Mark and Jennifer
Fortunately we have maintained a relationship with Mark.  It wasn’t long after Jeremy died that Mark met Jennifer and not long after that when Mark brought Jennifer to the SC to meet us. 

Visiting Ruxton August 2010
Mark works along side Owen at things that need done around Ruxton.  Finishing the tar papering before the shingles go on and helping install the window,  Jennifer and Nadine share a love for art and work well together in the kitchen.   Mark and Jen arrived for 2 days and stayed 5.  Gotta love it.

Jer’s bro’ Patrick came along too for a few days.  Are we ever fortunate to have these wonderful people in our lives.

Honorary Grandparents 2012

Sometime after Christmas we received an e-mail and then a phone call from Mark telling us that he is going to be a Daddy.  Oh my gosh, did we hear him right?  A new baby.  Due June 24^th. 

We were back in Canada to attend the baby shower in May.  A great gathering on a beautiful sunny day at Jericho Beach.  Owen helped Mark set up and we all did the decorating.  A wonderful group of friends come out to support Mark and Jennifer before their baby boy is born.

We went back into Vancouver the middle of June to pick up the propane fridge and stove that Mark has ‘scored’ for us and the four of us go out for a lovely breakfast.  Jennifer is only 8 days or so from her due date.  Mark and Jen tell us that they’d like us to be their baby boys’ Honorary Grandparents, if it’s something we’d like.  Duh???  We are so excited.

 

Nadine Meets Luke

Jennifer delivered Luke Samuel Derek Chinque on Friday evening, June 29^th at Women’s Hospital on Oak Street in Vancouver.   He weighed 7# 9 oz.  Mark, a midwife and doula were there as Luke slipped into our world somewhere around 9:30 pm.  A perfectly healthy baby boy.

Mark had 'text' early that day to say that Jen was having contractions and that they were certain that today was the day.  Mark called me at 5:30 pm to tell me that Jennifer just called and he was to ‘get home’ to take her to the hospital.  Everything happened pretty quickly after that.   Jennifer was in a delivery tub and altho Luke was delivered in water, he was immediately put on Jen’s belly so Mark could cut the cord and then the baby was given to Mark to hold while Jen (abate shaky) got out of the tub and dried and was put into bed. 

A picture arrived of the 3 of them shortly after.  I love technology (most of the time).  We get photo’s almost daily of the baby. 

Baby Luke went home on Sunday, July 1^st.  We didn’t get to see Luke until Thursday, July 12.  He was already 13 days old.  Owen and I are both infatuated with the little guy.  Okay, maybe I am a little more than Owen, hmmm, maybe not.  Either way, I was able to spend 5 hours hanging out at the house.  Mama even took a wee nap.