A good friend of mine had a baby girl in the wee hours of the morning today. So congratulations Lindsey & Scott (And Jaxon) on the arrival of Abagail Rae… Can’t wait to meet her! Love you 4!!

Christmas is 29 days away, not that I’m really counting… Ok, yes I am! I’m sooo excited!! And seem to get more excited each day!

Tonight it was Phil’s turn to be excited – it was the 2nd annual Christmas light put up with his friend Erick… so now our house is nicely decorated in pretty lights! I think we are going to add a few more to the tree, and bush…. and Phil thinks we should do the upper peak as well. But for now THIS is our Christmas house!

Kiss me good morning too!

This is what hangs in our bedroom now — I love it… I’ve been waiting for the perfect things to go with one of our pictures from our pro photos we got earlier this year and finally found it!!!

Here’s a picture….

Tomorrow is a special day — my Mom’s birthday!!!! Happy Birthday Momma!! Today – my friend Leanne and I executed a special delivery from my dad — a surprise bouquet delivered to work. When I was a little tot — mom owned a business called Balloon County – and we were a family of clowns… literally we all had our own clown costume – from the age 2 on I helped deliver balloon bouquets often with mom…. it was quite the experience. So anyway — today Leanne and I dug out mom and dad’s old costumes and delivered moms bouquet in costume… and she was thoroughly surprised!!! woohoo!!

And here we are….

Part 2:

Here is the one Phil wrote about me:

Howdy Steve,

So, I’m sure you know by now that I’m getting married in a month, but that’s about all you know. To fix this problem, I’m writing you a letter to tell you all about her

We first met at College – she thought I was a freak, but it seems that my persistence paid off because she ended up falling hopelessly in love with me. Well, that’s half true – she was reluctant at first (eve though she liked me she didn’t want a relationship) but that stage didn’t last long.

Anyway, so we ended up dating for a year and a bit, getting engaged in December of the year following. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that the way I popped the question was a little unorthodox (in the car while driving), but she said yes and so here we are, 16 months later, with only a month left to go .

That’s enough of our story, though, because that tells you nothing of what she’s like.

Firstly, it must be noted that she’s definitely not a geek like me, which does lead to some interesting discussions, and she’s much more outgoing and personable than I am (I like to hide in my room and do geeky things while she’d rather be out and about chatting with people). That’s okay though, because we tend to balance each other out.

Like I said, she’s very personable. Easy to talk to, and easy to get along with; I guess that you could call her a social butterfly. I’m not really like that, but it’s been good for me because she’s helped to draw me out of my shell a bit (I still have to work on her so that she knows that somedays I really do just want to be left in my shell, but that’s okay).

She has a real heart for people, though, especially for youth. It definitely comes out when we’re helping out at youth group – even if she didn’t really want to be there during the day, once she gets there she’s just full of so much joy. It’s been a real blessing because she helps me to remember what’s really important and she definitely acts it out as well.

Keltie’s also got the most awesome smile – it’s definitely one of the things that I fell in love with right away – it’s hard to describe a smile, but it’s just one of those smiles that makes you want to join in smiling too .

Another thing that’s awesome about Keltie is her heart for God – it’s the most evident on Sunday morning when she’s on worship team (you can tell by the smile on her face) – you can tell that being a Christian means a lot to her, and that means a lot to me.

So, I’m not that great at describing people it would seem – it seems like I’m missing lots of interesting and juicy info.

My sweetie is very pretty though she always looks cute in anything that she is wearing.

I love her.

I was going though some old files and came across our premarital task file. Our last task we had was that we had to write a letter to a friend who had never met the other and describe them. Then we gave them to Randy who returned them to us the night before our wedding to read. This is the letter I wrote about Phil to my friend – and I just thought I’d share it.

Since, you haven’t had the chance to meet Phil, I thought that I would take this time to describe him to you, that way when you do meet him you’ll have an idea of what to expect ☺

I figure starting from the beginning is probably the best place to begin…

Prior to meeting Phil I had high expectations of him, I had heard about him and had seen some excellent pictures so I was very anxious to meet him. However, when I did first meet him my expectations where not initially met. He didn’t have the tall, dark and handsome look to him, he had more a rough around the edges look, wearing shorts that I easily would have fit into with him as well.

He did have a way about him though, and although he was trying hard, and he thought I wasn’t interested I secretly was, and in a way was trying to make him a little jealous so he’d work just that little bit harder, and HE DID!

Phil always had a way with his words and actions, and he knew what he wanted from the beginning and wasn’t afraid to go after it, which for me was amazing as I didn’t think someone would ever do that for me. He gave me butterflies and I was always anticipating seeing him, I know from that day on I always spent a little more time getting ready, just hoping he’d notice.

I think the thing that really won my heart though, was his smile… it would light up the whole room, and definitely would light up my heart. No matter what the situation or conversation if he smiled everything would seem to be okay, and I felt safe. His smile reaches from one ear to the other, and it is a genuine smile. He has one of those smiles that contagious… and when he laughs it’s that much better!

Phil also has a kind soul, and is a good listener. When we first started dating we had different ideas of things and different focus’ but he was able to listen, share and understand. He has also been the more encouraging person to me in the whole world, and has helped me become the person I am. I wish that I could learn more from him, and hope that over the next 50+ years he continues to help me grow into a woman of God.

Maybe I’ll give you a bit of a physical description of Phil, so you have a mental picture of what all this goodness is rolled into.
• He’s tall, about 6’
• Dark hair, he likes to wear it a little long and shaggy, which I like ☺ but I have to say when he does cut it short it’s a nice change too
• He has eyes that change color, but are mainly a greeny/hazel
• His build is athletic fit, he’s not lanky-awkward skinny, but he is skinny, which I point out often when I am resting on him and its boney ☺
• He has hands that are big and safe, and my hand fits perfectly into his
• He has kissable lips which, when do not get kissed make an excellent ‘poopy face’ which always melts my heart
• The basics include: size 32” waist, M shirt, 12 shoe.
What else would I say to describe Phil… well he has a heart for God and wants to act in a way that is honoring to him. He strives to live a Godly life and is an example to many people around him. He uses the gifts God has blessed him with in positive ways, including worship team, youth group and even being around his friends.

He plays bass, drums and electric guitar… his preference would be bass or drums, but on a real kit, a nice kit!

Sports related Phil’s favorite is soccer, he also enjoys squash, volleyball, basketball, biking, skim boarding, snowboarding, and basically anything that is physical and outside he’s up for. He’s not too competitive, unless its soccer or squash game with the guys, which makes it nice because then we can play together which is always enjoyable.

His other passion is computers. He currently is a web-developer at NIC but I know he’s anxious to get into a job that is a little less structured and he has a bit more room to use the talents he has to the best of his ability. He can create amazing work, and is so creative. I am terrible for not telling him how proud I am of it, but I really am… he is more creative and brilliant than I sometimes give him credit for, which is something I need to make sure to let him know.

Lets talk about his character: Well, he’s funny, which again I always tell him he’s not. But, he’s a different funny, not funny where he tells jokes that are funny, because they usually aren’t but he is silly funny, goofy funny. He likes to be silly in all situations and its fun to watch him, his facial expressions are priceless and he can light up an entire room. He is a shy guy at first, he doesn’t put himself out there, and he’s usually standoffish until he’s comfortable with the people he’s around. He’s sensitive, and kind, caring and patient. He’s understanding and a great confident, and will be there even when he doesn’t understand what’s going on. He is excellent to lean on, and is always there. He’s emotional, not like girl emotional, but he’s not afraid to show emotion and share how he’s feeling, which I find to be such a blessing, because then we can share that with each other.

He’s not a romantic, although he does try, which is cute! He knows I want him to be and he does work on it, I think that he’d do more if I weren’t always hinting, or asking. He’s pretty creative that way, like for our 1st Valentines Day together, he made me paper flowers, and he cut our every petal from colored paper! It was the most special and romantic gift ever!

Since Phil has learned what my love language is he has taken that knowledge and just shows me he loves me all the time. Which is great for me, but can be expensive, so I think we’ll have to use my 2nd love language sometimes too. He is always willing to let me get something new, and is so sweet to say it benefits him too, because he likes to see me wear it, or see me happy. That’s pretty impressive!

Most of all I think the biggest thing is I feel safe with Phil. He makes me feel like that is where I belong, and that we will have a great life together. I never doubt that he loves me or question our relationship, although sometimes I say things that contradict that. But deep down I know he is the one for me and me for him. We are definitely 2 peas in a pod. He does complete me and makes me a better person each day, and someone I want to be.

I am looking forward to getting to know Phil more and more each day of the rest of my life. He is an amazing guy who has so much to offer, and he is an amazing guy who has loved me for me from the very beginning and has never tried to change that! I love and appreciate him so much and cant wait until the day we say I do!

Woohoo! I can officially say that my Christmas cards are done! Well, they are all made. I have started to write in them, but figure that will still take some time to get through all of them, but I’m a head of schedule so this is good. We were also VERY pleased with our Christmas picture we ordered… we ordered them through iPhoto this year, we ordered them on Friday and they arrived the following Wednesday. Great quality, clarity is good too! We are pretty impressed.

Our house is taking ‘winter’ shape… our snowmen are creeping out and it is wonderful! We’ll wait on the tree till December of course. A great Christmas album I would strongly suggest is Bebo Norman – it is FANTASTIC!

Well, I guess that is all for now!

I saw this video sometime early this year – and I have often had the song stuck in my head. I think there is a lot of truth and meaning in it. Anyway… take a look!

On November 1st, there was a tragic car accident just south of Nanaimo – my boss Jerry’s son was in that accident, and he passed away November 2nd. My heart has ached for all those involved as this is not an easy thing in any way. And my prayer has been that they would remember Zack for who he was, his smile, his heart.

I emailed my in-laws about the accident when it happened, and asked for prayer, for myself, my work and for him and his family. They wrote back with encouraging verses from Ester – ” . . . And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I felt encouraged by this and was sharing with Carolyn (who I also work with) and after I told her, she chuckled as she had emailed her family for prayer and a few responded with the same verse. What an encouragment!!

Today was my first day back at work since the accident – and Jerry’s too, he just came in for a couple hours. But it was good! He shared that the service last week, was not about the loss of life, but the celebration of Zack’s life, and the young man he was. Jerry is very positive in that! I am very grateful.

God has been working in my life, and is faithful, and I am grateful! Wow, I am encouraged.

I am sitting in the Edmonton airport waiting for my flight… my delayed by 2 hours flight. I thought I’d write about my wonderful weekend away!

I was delayed going Friday night, and was put up in a hotel in Calgary – it ended working out great as I got to see Chris and Corie, we went to Moxies for appys! Which was awesome. Saturday was an early morning and a long day but wonderful. My aunt, uncle and cousin greeted me at the airport and it was wonderful to see them. We headed over to the mall for a bit, then to the old spaghetti factory for lunch. There we met up with Julie.. YAY!!! The afternoon was full of visiting and catching up. I have to admit we were all wiped Sat night, and went to bed at 9… party animals.

Sunday, Allie, Katie and I headed out for breaky – Allie knew of this awesome place, and I admit it was yummy… but when we got our bill we were a little surprised, it was $91 for the 3 of us to have the brunch buffet!! I think it was because it was a seafood buffet — but we never thought to ask… ooops! Sunday night we headed to Julies parents for a family dinner, and it was nothing short of wonderful – I got to see everyone!! Literally! It was great, I hadn’t seen most of these people in about 6 years so it was great!

Monday, we visited Baba and then just hung out… Monday night I met up with Lissa for a visit )

Tuesday we went to Baba’s and watched the wedding video, she really enjoyed that, and I’m glad we got to share that together! Tuesday afternoon, I got to hang out with Mikey – and even met his new girlfriend (and she is lovely). Tuesday night, Julie, Allie and I had a romantic dinner together ) Julie made yummy chicken, potatoes and veggies! We had her brother Mike and his girlfriend join us, and it was a hoot. I woke up this morning with sore ribs from laughing sooo much!!!

Now, I am headed home to see my wonderful husband who I miss like crazy!! I realized as I’m sitting in the airport waiting to leave how much I really can’t wait to see him! I just got news that our delay isn’t quite as long anymore, so that’s awesome!

Well, until next time….

This is becoming a more and more common blog title – especially this year – this will be the 3rd time this year that I’ll be flying somewhere – I think I’m starting to become a seasoned traveler.

Tonight I’m headed to Edmonton!! Yay!! Today is a bit crazy though – I got a call from Mom Schalm this morning which was a blessing in disguise – as it kept me from being lazy and in the conversation I got most of my packing done! Which is great – because I still have to stop in at work, going out for coffee with a friend, this afternoon I have to drive to Nanaimo and back to pick a friend up from the ferry, and then dinner with my fabulous husband – then off I go on my adventure!

Since I land late – tomorrow will be when the adventure really begins! Tomorrow night we have a family dinner with Baba – she’ll be the star of the Churchill – bring 5 guest – 3 being her granddaughters, it’s too bad Shay couldn’t be there – then it would be perfect. Sunday is going to be a Banack family shindig which I can honestly say I’m so stoked for!!! I get to see Mikey and meet his new lady ) and Lissa and I are going to hang out too!! It will be great!

So, I probably will go back to the lame blogging status until Wednesday when I arrive home…. but who knows maybe I’ll surprise everyone and be efficient even on holidays!