I have opened up our blog to post for a couple days, and don’t really know what to write about. So just a little update today.

Phil is working like a madman to get everything done before our holidays. He’s been getting up super early, and is working lots in the evenings. He’s been busy.

I’m pick up some extra shifts for the next little bit as Carolyn, who I work with is on holidays. That together with, my lack of knowing how to say ‘no’ I too have been keeping busy.

We are on the home stretch now to holidays – 2.5 weeks, so are really starting to get things in order. GPS = check, maps = check, hotel reservations = check. We do have to buy another suitcase tho… we have 1, and usually we borrow from my parental-units… but you see, they are on holidays the same time, so it just doesn’t work.

Anyway, when I get some pictures from our youth event Friday I’ll post about that… as there are some funny stories, but until then, this will have to do.

A few weeks ago (pre move) my pocket bible was missing. I figured that in the chaos of moving it had gotten misplaced, and since we have a plethora of bibles, I used another one and thought I’d find it when we unpacked. We unpacked, and my bible was no where to be found. It’s no fun to lose a bible, and especially one that I’ve been carrying with me for a couple years now, I new that bible, my markings were in it. I was going to replace it with the exact one, but have this feeling it’ll show up one day. I decided to get a thinline bible this time. Not too small, not too large, easy to carry to church and easy to read (always a bonus for a glasses wearer). So tonight, I sit here and am working through finding my favorite verses and re-highlighting them. Exciting to find them again, but I know that I’m missing many that had touched my heart, that I don’t remember off the top of my head… I am sure however that in years to come new markings will be made.

On a whole other note… at work I read a few photography blogs and one has stuck out to me. Jasmine Star is a photographer in the Orange County area… she is an amazing photographer, and has created quite a name for herself. Her blog posts are catchy and you want to read more. And, she believes in God and that He has blessed her with her talent. I find it encouraging to read through her posts and see her giving Him the glory for her abilities, as often we forget too.

Today I went to check out her blog and was moved by a post from 2 days ago, take a look and then go to this page and read what David Wenzel has to say about his situation. It’s challenging… it’s encouraging… it was what I needed to hear. In a nut shell, a few weeks ago he fell hit his head, the next day had a seizure, they thought he had a bleed in his brain. They found a tumor, it’s inoperable, he has 10 (maybe not) years to live. He trusts God. He loves God.

So, I will dance like no one is watching, and sing like no one is listening, and I will love like I will never get hurt. I will live each day as if it was my last, and give God the glory for each day I have here, for each blessing in my life.

Keltie has been bugging me for some time that I should actually post on the blog, so I think that I will. However, I’m really not sure what to write about right now, so I’ll just comment that the new Dream Theater album is a very solid performance from the band and definitely worth it! I’m eagerly awaiting my collector’s package of the album (and additional goodies) in the mail. Maybe once that comes I’ll post some pictures so that I can join in the picture-posting goodness.

Our holidays are coming up FAST, and boy are we excited! Phil has been working so much lately – finishing up all sorts of things before we head away for a few weeks. In total we’ll be gone for 20 days (YAY!!!) 6 are for Phil’s work retreat, and then 14 are our holiday days away!

We’ve been working out our travel plan, getting maps and tour books, getting a GPS, and starting to think about packing plans! It’ll be so great to get away, the 1st part of the trip will be quite full and busy. But the 2nd half we hope to relax, and really not do too much. On Sunday our pastor asked us: Do you really ever feel relaxed after holidays? Answer: NO you do way more then you normally would during holidays because you have the time… this year we hope to relax, we’ll do things, but spend time recouping too. It’ll be wonderful!

Following our holidays, my cousin Katie will be coming to visit us for a week which will be awesome. This is her 1st time coming out on her own, and it’ll be a grand event I’m sure!! It also sounds like Phil’s sister will be coming for a visit shortly after we arrive home too, which will be loads of fun! We LOVE having company…. so if YOU want to come visit, just let us know!!!

Today, I went to Victoria with my good friend Leanne. We had been wanting to go for about a year, and it finally worked out. It was a fabulous day, the weather was perfect, the drive was beautiful, and we both found some great buys for the summer! A successful day.

Now, I think Phil and I are going to head for our evening walk…

Father’s day is a special day – not that it is the only day that we should take time to be grateful for the fathers in our life, but it is a reminder of that exactly. I always enjoy mothers/fathers day because we have a family BBQ and have time to reminisce about childhood times we remember, our favorite memories, I always leave feeling very blessed for the people in my life.

Today at church we talked about how we have the best father – our Heavenly Father, who loves us unconditionally, and gives us strength, peace and everything in between. For this I am thankful. I am thankful that I am a chosen one, I am thankful that I have a relationship with Jesus. I am thankful that Phil, my amazing husband, loves Jesus and leads our home.

I am 100% thankful for my daddy! He is the best dad EVER, seriously! Ok, ok. I know that every girl is a little biased to her own dad, and I get that. BUT for me, he’s the best. One thing I’ve always loved, is that he’ll take time to always hang out with me (and my sister) individually. We have our own ‘things’ that are special to just the 2 of us. Those are the things that I treasure. My dad has always been there for me to talk to, cuddle with and to cry on whenever I’ve needed it and I am forever grateful. THANK-YOU dad for the time, love, sweat and tears you’ve put into my life to help me become the woman I am today. I LOVE YOU!

In my life I was blessed to not only have 2 wonderful grandfathers but to know them! Fathers day is a day when I miss them. I was 17 when they passed away, my Gido (my dad’s father) passed away the day before I started grade 12, and exactly 4 weeks later my Grandpa (mom’s dad) passed away too. It was a very sad time for me, I was very close with each of them, and didn’t think that they’d be gone so soon. It took a long time to get to the point of remember the men they were. I am so thankful that I had 17 years to get to know them, to have relationship with them, and to have them be a part of my life. They are 2 men that I still admire. I have found that lately I miss them a lot, more than usual. I miss visiting, their smiles, laughs, and our outings. I miss seeing them love my grandmas, I remember being a young child and always wanting ‘that’ one day, I saw them love their wives in a way that pure. I wanted that, and I have that. Phil does many things that my grandfathers did, and it makes me smile inside, its the little things that make me remember.

A new father in my life, is my father-in-law, Phil and I have been married 2 years now, and I feel that I have gained a wonderful new family. Warren, thank-you for the time that you’ve taken to get to know me, to visit with me, and our online chats. Thank-you for being a great father to Phil, you have raised up an amazing son, who is a wonderful husband, and I know that he gets many of those traits from you.

Phil, you are not a father yet, but one day, God willing, you will be. I see your interaction with youth and I am encouraged, I am blessed. I know that when we have children that you will love them, encourage them, and lead them. You will make an amazing father, and I am excited to see what God has in store for us in the years to come. I love you very much! xoxo.

Today has been a great day. I am very blessed. I hope that you had the chance to remember the men in your life, to cherish those moments you’ve shared with them.

Happy Father’s Day!!

Today at church one of our elders spoke about treasures. We all have treasures in our life. He brought some of his – a whale bone; a whale tooth; glass float balls. The challenge was that our greatest treasure needs to be Jesus. I was convicted, that I can get caught up in earthly things, and loose sight of what really IS important, and will lean on my own strength or earthly possessions instead of leaning on Jesus to find my strength and peace. I was challenge, I was moved, it was good, God is great.

My heart was even more softened today, when 6 youth got baptized. What a testimony to God’s love for us. What an experience to walk along side these youth and see them turn to Jesus and give their lives completely to him. It was a touching service at the beach. There were a lot of people who came to see, and that in itself was a testimony of the body of Christ. It was encouraging for Phil and I, as we have lead this youth in our Youth Group all year, and have befriended them, and encouraged them, and seen them grow. It was a blessing to be a part of their day.

It was an encouraging day in so many ways, I feel that God used a series of events today to re-awaken my soul and my heart, and I am so encouraged, we are so encouraged.

Here are some pictures of the day… and some bonus ones of our youth group Friday night.

Last night, I had 5 girls over for a pedi-party… was is that you say… well a pedi-party is when Michelle (from Esthetics by Michelle (who I play ball with her husband)) come over and gives pedicures at your home to you and your friends. It was a lovely evening of great friends, awesome conversation and lots of laughter. By the end of the night we all had some amazing toesies!!!

Here are some pictures from the evening:

BIG UPDATE:

Like I’ve said before I am on a soft-ball team, and it’s awesome! I’ve met some really great people, and am really enjoying it. A few shots are included.

We had a tie-dye night last week for our youth group and it was amazing! We had 18 youth come (YAY!) and 4 leaders, so it was a big group, and a HUGE success. Again, some shots are included.

Last and not least today Shannon and I hit up the beach today and it was fantastic! We went down to Kye Bay and enjoyed the sun, the cool breeze, and the ocean and sand on our toes, and some shots are included from that too.

Here we go….

Today, my good friend Leanne came down from Nanaimo to spend the day with me. Leanne and I have been good friends since highschool and have made a ton of memories together. We always seem to have some sort of adventure, big and small.

This adventure started out with lunch at Kin Beach, a walk and rest at Kye Bay beach, then we came back to my place got some shorts, and headed to the River on our way we stopped and got Benino Gelato…. mmmm!!!!

It was a lovely day, the sun was shining, it was really hot, and the 1st time I’ve been to the river, and spent anytime down at the beach this year, so it was great.

Unfortunately I got home and quickly realized that I did get a sunburn, darn.

Spring has not only sprung, but it is hear to stay (fingers crossed!) Today is an amazing day, the weather is fantastic! I don’t think we could ask for more!

I got to enjoy the great outdoors for most of the day, and then had a dentist appointment, ugh. It was time to get rid of the last 2 mercury fillings I got as a child (I had deep crevasses on my back molars), so half of my face is completely frozen, up to my eye… not exactly fun. But, it’s done now, so just normal dental stuff for a while at the dentist.

Phil has a Dr. appointment tomorrow – his knee has been giving him grief and is affecting his ability to play soccer, so he’s checking things out to see what’s going on.

Time for dinner, and then ball for me, and its a work night for Phil.