There has been so many days that I sit down to write this blog and just as many days I do not know what to write. Today I write a small post to let you know that we are going away, and hope to blog our trip as we go like we did 2 years ago on our roadtrip. We are going to be gone for 2 weeks, and traveling over 3000KM and are excited that its going to be us, Jasper and the road!

So stay tuned, we’ll have some (hopefully) fun updates as we travel.

I was cleaning out my inbox and found this note that was sent to us around Christmas…. it actually reminds us both of the people we wish to be, and that sometimes we impact peoples lives without even knowing it… so I thought I’d share it with those of you who still read our blog.

Hullo Phil and Keltie,
Please read this together:)

In one of the greatest times of need in my life you both took me into your home and treated me like family. I will forever thank Jesus for placing you on my path, He knew the two of you were exactly what I needed. You were a welcome calm when my life became a storm. You helped me take the steps I needed to become a man after God’s heart.

Keltie, though my stubborness has often cause unrest between us you were, and still are, the sister I needed to keep me humble and appreciative. You were patient with me when I was bullheaded, and were always interested with the highs and lows of my life. I could not have asked God himself for a better big sister!

Phil, you are quite, contimplative and kind to a fault. Your consistancy and solidarity of character I could only compare to Jesus. You work so hard for your family and never complain, I would be a wreck in your shoes yet you take it all with a constant smile on your face. I pray in the future you and I can have more conversations about God and His teachings instead of just when we need to prove a certain ex-girlfriend, and her mother, wrong;)

I pray the Lord blesses your marriage and family with eternal joy and fulfilment. I also pray that through all the struggles you will face together that you praise God through it all, every step of the way.
Marry Jesusmas, Phil and Keltie!

Traditionally we ring in the New Year with a housefull of friends! We play games, eat food, hang out and enjoy the love and laughter of friends. This year it was quite, subdue and we had just a couple friends over, it was a perfect way to bring in the new year.

For years and years, I’ve been a doer. If I physically can do something, I have. Have always thought “why not?”. However over 2010 I realized that the reason why not was that I would burn out. I’ve learned this year that I can’t physically, emotionally, mentally do everything that comes across my plate – or that other people think I should take on. I have to be more selective and then with those items I can offer my all. I think this new attitude will be good for me, I will have a different outlook on what I commit to, and what I pass on, and will not beat myself up over it.

I’ve also learned this past year, that sometimes friendships change, or don’t grow, or finish. There are people in my life, that if I don’t call I’d never hear from them. For some this has worked, because I know that if I needed them, they would do anything to help! For others, I’ve realized I’m just trying to do it because… I should. For years, I had so many friends – so many people to see – to hang out with. This year when Phil and I sat down to talk about what we wanted to do this year differently, we decided to develop friendships deeper and to let other friendships go, if the season of them has changed. At first this scared me – but I’ve realized that I may have been trying to hold onto relationships that weren’t there anymore. So now, both Phil and I are looking forward to not feeling the need to accommodate everyone, or to spread ourselves too thin but will be cherishing and nurturing growing, positive relationships.

This is a big realization for us (especially for me). I think Phil had it down when we met – have a few select friends that you know really well, and hang out with. At 18 my theory was the more the better. So, now we’ve found a place right in the middle. Our biggest realization is it is important to take care of ourselves, and when we are spread too thin, and worn out, how can we achieve that?

Anyway, this was a bit of a ramble. I hope you all have a great weekend!! And I hope you don’t get the cold that is floating around – both Phil and I have been hit Oh well, it’s that time of the year!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. Phil and I sure did!!

Friday night we had our Christmas Eve service — usually our service is at Crown Isle but this year it didn’t work out, so we were at the school gym. I took it upon myself to decorate and make it special (not a cold gym) and with the help of some friends it turned out awesome!! Phil played guitar and I sung along with a 3 others on music team, and it was great. After the service we headed to my parents where we spent the night.

Christmas arrived and we awoke early to open gifts. Then with tradition headed to the Endall’s for eggs benny (my favorite!) Then it was home time for Christmas naps (another favorite). Mom made Christmas dinner for the 5 of us, and it was a great evening.

I had planned to have a boxing day nap – but for Christmas Phil and I were given new bedding, so instead I really, REALLY cleaned our bedroom/ensuite, and made it so great for our new bedding. Our room really feels cozy now! My momma picked out the perfect set!!!

And to finish it off …. some photos

During the holidays it is common for churches to gather outside of Sunday and have some sort of Christmas event. A dinner, a dessert night, a play, anything. Our church currently meets in a school gym, because of this it is difficult to meet outside of Sundays. Phil and I were talking about how nice it would be to have some sort of Christmas party that was accessibe and cheap for everyone – so we opened up our home last night for a Christmas Open House!!

It was fantastic.

Approx 50ppl came – we had dessert as well as hot chocolate and apple cider! It was delicious! The fellowship was wonderful, the adults hung out downstairs – and upstairs I set up our empty bedroom as a play room with toys and tv with a Christmas movie on. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves!!

We are so blessed to be part of a wonderful church family, I love spending time with these people in our life so it was a most enjoyable evening. And always… some pictures….

I found a new cook-book yesterday about Cake Pops! It’s so fun, and I’ve been totally inspired, and last night and today I tried my hand a few! If you want to see some of the options check out the website the book is created from Bakerella.

Here’s some of my cake-pops….

It snowed!!! That make my heart happy. Growing up in Alberta, snow has a nostalgia feeling about it. There was always snow on the ground (sometimes even in the summer!) and it was cozy, and happy, and fun to play in. Since moving here, I’ve accepted that we don’t get as much snow, at 1st I complained, but now I appreciate green mild winters too. But, when it snows, it makes my heart happy. It snowed Thursday night, and again on Friday night! We went walking in the freshly fallen snow, while snowflakes danced through the sky and found their place on our toques. Jasper LOVED the snow, he was so excited. The downside was his paws turned into snowballs, and we had to melt him in the sink. Today I heard that it’s snowing in Comox and Courtenay, but no snowflakes have fallen in Cumberland…. so Phil and I are hoping they do!!

Side note: For those of you who are facebook friends — I apologize for my absence. I felt I was wasting to much time on facebook, all the time complaining about not having enough time to complete my paper, or do my readings. So, I have taken a facebook hiatus, and it’s been great. So, if you want to connect, my phone is charged and my email inbox is waiting!!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

No….

Really….. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

I anticipate its arrival all year, and feel that there is never enough time to take in all the joys about it. My very favorite thing about Christmas is time with my family! We seriously go into ‘lock-down’ from Christmas eve – boxing day it’s family time. It always has been! As kids we never did stuff with our friends, it was time for family, and I loved that. I loved watching movies, playing games, have snuggles (which I still look forward to at 24), PJ days, and great company. I love the magic of Christmas, the joy that everyone shares. I love reading the Christmas story, and celebrating Christ! I love decorating, and enjoying it. I love driving around town at night and admiring Christmas lights (my favorite night to do it is Christmas eve – which we have done every year since I was a babe). I love the cookies, and drinks… the atmosphere of joy and celebration. There is so much to love. I dislike how materialistic Christmas has gotten, and try each year to remember what Christmas is about.

This year we are living in Cumberland — which is known for snow… much more snow than the rest of the valley, and since snow is in the forecast Phil figured it would be a good idea to get out and put up the lights early, rather then waiting until its snowy or icy or wet. So operation Christmas lights has begun and is nearly done! The gutters all have lights on them – just have to do the peak!! We like the have the old style multi-colored Christmas bulbs! (Probably the only Christmas decoration there is not disagreeing on). I’m excited that they are up and anticipating when we will turn them on (we will wait a week or so yet – although there are some lights on up the street!)

Once our house is decorated (which will be the last weekend in Nov) I’ll be sure to post some photos.

What do you love most about Christmas??

I am an avid blog reader. My web browser menu bar is full of blogs that I will check daily just to see if they have been updated. I read different blogs to be inspired, encouraged, challenged, to keep up on old friends, to learn about new friends and everything in between. But, I struggle with keeping an updated blog of my own. I find that it is not something I think of, or feel I have time for. Really though, what else is keeping me busy. Is it looking around facebook, checking twitter, or simply not wanting to recap what’s going on in our life. I don’t know. But tonight, as I sit in my cozy dining room, with candles lit, and music playing in the back ground I feel as though tonight warrants a blog update.

Since March 5 2010, a lot has happened. We have a puppy, Jasper. He is a yorkie-shih tzu cross, and is a whopping 5lbs. It’s been so great having a dog in the house again (as I grew up with them) and watching Phil adore this little puppy (he was anti dogs since we met). Jasper has made his way into our hearts and is definitely part of our family.

I’m in my 2nd last semester of school. Come the end of April, I will have completed my BBA major in Marketing and minor in accounting. Go me! I’m rather excited to be completed. I see the end now, and am anticipated my next graduation ceremony next June!

I am now an Epicure Consultant! For those who don’t know what Epicure is – check it out – www.epicureselections.com I love the products and now get to share them with friends.

Phil is busy, busy, busy… we’ve been going through some major changes with his work. We like to call them growing pains, we are looking forward to what opportunities are coming up for him, and are ready to close some doors to opportunities that have come and gone. We have seen God’s faithfulness this year in his work, with many changes and unknowns, and are ready to take on whatever comes our way.

I feel as though there is a lot more happening in our life, but those are the big things for now.

Really, I should be getting back to studying for my 3 mid-terms that are happening next week, and finish baking the cookies I have started as an earlier ‘break’ from studying.

Hopefully, I’m back again soon.

Phil and I are hopefuls that life will soon slow down…. often we hear ourselves saying “if we just get through this month, next month will be better” I’m wondering when ‘next month’ arrives. For us 2010 has kicked off to be extremely busy, and by the looks of our calendar it’s not slowing down.

All things are good things tho, which does make the business enjoyable!! Please be in prayer for us that we don’t become worn out (which has been known to happen) or burn out. Phil has a really busy month with work – he has some big contracts this month, which is awesome, but he has lots to do. I’m in full-blow term project time, and final preparations. I have a bit more ‘free’ time but doesn’t feel like much when it is always filled too.

Life is so good lately tho! We are very happy, healthy and loving where we are at!!

I’ve been wanting to post some photos of recent happenings, but it seems that our photos are HUGE and not working they way they are suppose to — it’s going to get done by my handy-dandy hubby, but it’s not the biggest priority as of right now. But, stay tuned as we will have some photos coming.

Hope that wherever you are that you are getting rays of sunshine and are able to enjoy them like us!!