Hello Again...
I am finding it tougher to find time to write. I was pondering just the other day about how fast my pregnancy has gone! I am already in my last trimester! Time has gone so fast...I am going to use that as my excuse for not being diligent at blogging. Instead I have been stocking my freezer with yummy foods and cleaning like crazy...Must be what they (whoever they are) call nesting. Anyhow...Onto my 4th treasure.
After we left Tofino, we stayed on the Island a few days longer as we camped at different campgrounds. We saw so much beautiful nature and we enjoyed one anothers company. I love my family.
While we were away, My hubby and I celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary. Or is it 13?? Hmmmm, wow. I think it is 12. Anyhow, we celebrated by camping out in the gorgeous creation God had given us. I made BBQ ribs, fried rice and garlic toast. There is just something so tasty about food cooked outdoors. We enjoyed our time together. The day after our anniversary, we celebrated our little gals 5th birthday in the same fashion. We set up camp in a different location in the wonderful outdoors. We gave the birthday girl a choice whether she wanted to go out and eat at a restaurant or cook at the campground and she said, "Mom all I want to do is buy a bun and make a sandwich at the camp for supper." A girl after my own heart. Not only did she want just a sandwich for her birthday supper, she wanted to make it herself. So that is what we did. We went into town and got her exactly what she wanted for her birthday supper and as her Dad and I set up camp, there she sat at the picnic table making her birthday sandwich! What a sweet kid we are blessed with! We also made sure to have marshmallows roasted on the fire and hot chocolate as well later. Nice and simple ways to celebrate! That was a treasure for sure. We also took our little girl mini golfing at a really beautiful place and for a first time golfer, she did so well! We went to a beach and a park that had a little water slide that she enjoyed a lot. It was so much fun just being together and playing together.
Another neat experience we had was eating on a floating restaurant. We took a little ferry to Protection Island (I believe that is what it is called) where the restaurant is. The ferry actually brings you right to the restaurant. The ferry comes and goes every hour on the hour. It is the coolest little place. It had a place for kids to bait fishing poles with kernels of corn and fish right at the restaurant. Our little girl really enjoyed doing that. It was fun to hear the excitement in her voice when the fish nibbled all the corn off her hook! The experience was so unique and I think I had a permanent grin on my face the whole time we were there from the experience itself. Seeing my family enjoy themselves was such a treasure in itself.
Alas, after spending time on the beautiful Island, it was time for us to take a ferry back to the mainland so to speak and finally meet up with my hubbies parents. I was excited to begin a new adventure with them of a different sort. The treasures just kept coming. You will hear more about that some time. I make no promises as to when. :)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Holiday Treasure #3
Ok, it has been a long time yet again. I am sorry it has taken so long. I know, I know, you have heard that before. :)
On to my holiday treasure #3...This is the odd one. My husband's Grandmother passed away at the beginning of our trip and this changed our plans. Originally the plan was for us to travel with his parents to BC to spend some time together. Well, obviously this didn't happen right away as his Dad and Mom flew to NS to do his Mom's funeral. The best part about this sad event was that we were all together as a family to love and support his Dad as he prepared to fly back to his home and do what I could only think would be one of the hardest things to do in life, bury a loved one.
Anyhow, it was decided that we would go on our way to the west coast without his parents and meet up with his parents later. With this new opportunity we decided to carry on to Vancouver Island where we had an awesome time in Tofino visiting some very close friends of ours. These wonderful friends moved to the Island a couple of years ago and bought a wonderful chocolate shop called "Chocolate Tofino". At this place magic happens! They home make their own chocolates AND gelato!! The whole experience there was refreshing! Tofino really has a hippee feel. Everything/everyone is so laid-back. It was here we hiked some rainforests, went to some pretty amazing beaches, ate ridiculously GREAT food (one place was comprised of a chef and a fisherman who are partners...one catches the seafood and the other cooks it fresh!) and of course you will never find any better quality chocolate AND gelato! Best of all, we were able to catch up with our good friends and see where they live now. What a life!
So maybe you can understand now why this odd turn of events (of his Grandma's death) ended up being a treasure. Mainly because we were able to be with his Dad when he got the news that his Mom had passed away. Then, when our plans changed we made the best of this change and this started a grand vacation that our family will cherish for a long time. It was a sad time yes. Do I always deal well with change? Nope. This time I had to and it worked out pretty great. Sometimes the treasure comes with not knowing exactly what life will hand to you.
On this trip to Tofino we had so much fun hanging out with our family and close friends. Seeing gorgeous sights and enjoying one another's company. A treasure in the unexpected. Beautiful.
On to my holiday treasure #3...This is the odd one. My husband's Grandmother passed away at the beginning of our trip and this changed our plans. Originally the plan was for us to travel with his parents to BC to spend some time together. Well, obviously this didn't happen right away as his Dad and Mom flew to NS to do his Mom's funeral. The best part about this sad event was that we were all together as a family to love and support his Dad as he prepared to fly back to his home and do what I could only think would be one of the hardest things to do in life, bury a loved one.
Anyhow, it was decided that we would go on our way to the west coast without his parents and meet up with his parents later. With this new opportunity we decided to carry on to Vancouver Island where we had an awesome time in Tofino visiting some very close friends of ours. These wonderful friends moved to the Island a couple of years ago and bought a wonderful chocolate shop called "Chocolate Tofino". At this place magic happens! They home make their own chocolates AND gelato!! The whole experience there was refreshing! Tofino really has a hippee feel. Everything/everyone is so laid-back. It was here we hiked some rainforests, went to some pretty amazing beaches, ate ridiculously GREAT food (one place was comprised of a chef and a fisherman who are partners...one catches the seafood and the other cooks it fresh!) and of course you will never find any better quality chocolate AND gelato! Best of all, we were able to catch up with our good friends and see where they live now. What a life!
So maybe you can understand now why this odd turn of events (of his Grandma's death) ended up being a treasure. Mainly because we were able to be with his Dad when he got the news that his Mom had passed away. Then, when our plans changed we made the best of this change and this started a grand vacation that our family will cherish for a long time. It was a sad time yes. Do I always deal well with change? Nope. This time I had to and it worked out pretty great. Sometimes the treasure comes with not knowing exactly what life will hand to you.
On this trip to Tofino we had so much fun hanging out with our family and close friends. Seeing gorgeous sights and enjoying one another's company. A treasure in the unexpected. Beautiful.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Holiday Treasure #2
I know, I know, it has been a while. Sorry.
So after we spent some time with my Grandmother and Aunts and Uncle we went to a gorgeous hotel where we are treated just like family. We LOVE going to this hotel. They know us by name and treat us just like family. It could be because the owner is a friend of the family (more friends of Mike's parents) none the less they treat us no different. Anyhow, the reason we were at this hotel was to plan for a treasure indeed. Both of Mike's brothers and their wives were coming to the hotel so we could prepare to celebrate their parents 40th wedding anniversary. We did a whole wedding and reception at the hotel. I do want to say how much the hotel did for us. I had a meeting with wonderful lady who did all I had asked or imagined for this special day. She took care of every little detail even to the point of asking the florist to spray paint some flowers to match a color I really wanted. The food was fantastic and my sister in law made an absolutely gorgeous gluten free wedding cake. It was her first and I must say it was GORGEOUS! It tasted great too! I know you are probably wanting to see pictures but I haven't had time to put them on the computer yet. One of my blogs will be just pictures of these things. I promise. Anyhow, Mike did the ceremony and I helped a little. His youngest brother walked his Mom down the aisle, his middle brother played a song he wrote as she walked down and the daughter in laws stood with our Mama. It was such a beautiful time! A really neat thing is that their actual anniversary fell on a Sunday and the vow renewal was not until the afternoon so before all the wedding activities, we all circled our cars in a parking lot of a liquor store and had a church service. Each of us were able to share a blessing, scripture and pick a song to sing. I like these times. They are intimate and we can always feel the presence of God so close during these times. That was a huge treasure. Getting together with family to worship God is something I will never take for granted. Our family is spread across different provinces so anytime we can get together to share the Word of God is fantastic.
There is more to this part of our journey as well but it will have to wait until the next time I am able to write. Please have patience with me as there is a lot on my plate at the moment. I will get to it tho. Don't worry. Treasure your family for as long as the Lord gives them to you. Bless you all.
So after we spent some time with my Grandmother and Aunts and Uncle we went to a gorgeous hotel where we are treated just like family. We LOVE going to this hotel. They know us by name and treat us just like family. It could be because the owner is a friend of the family (more friends of Mike's parents) none the less they treat us no different. Anyhow, the reason we were at this hotel was to plan for a treasure indeed. Both of Mike's brothers and their wives were coming to the hotel so we could prepare to celebrate their parents 40th wedding anniversary. We did a whole wedding and reception at the hotel. I do want to say how much the hotel did for us. I had a meeting with wonderful lady who did all I had asked or imagined for this special day. She took care of every little detail even to the point of asking the florist to spray paint some flowers to match a color I really wanted. The food was fantastic and my sister in law made an absolutely gorgeous gluten free wedding cake. It was her first and I must say it was GORGEOUS! It tasted great too! I know you are probably wanting to see pictures but I haven't had time to put them on the computer yet. One of my blogs will be just pictures of these things. I promise. Anyhow, Mike did the ceremony and I helped a little. His youngest brother walked his Mom down the aisle, his middle brother played a song he wrote as she walked down and the daughter in laws stood with our Mama. It was such a beautiful time! A really neat thing is that their actual anniversary fell on a Sunday and the vow renewal was not until the afternoon so before all the wedding activities, we all circled our cars in a parking lot of a liquor store and had a church service. Each of us were able to share a blessing, scripture and pick a song to sing. I like these times. They are intimate and we can always feel the presence of God so close during these times. That was a huge treasure. Getting together with family to worship God is something I will never take for granted. Our family is spread across different provinces so anytime we can get together to share the Word of God is fantastic.
There is more to this part of our journey as well but it will have to wait until the next time I am able to write. Please have patience with me as there is a lot on my plate at the moment. I will get to it tho. Don't worry. Treasure your family for as long as the Lord gives them to you. Bless you all.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Holiday Treasure #1
Hello Friends!
Well I know it has been a long time since I have really written a post but I am BACK! My family and I were away for what feels like forever. Over the next while I will be highlighting some fond memories I have from the trip we just took. I hope you enjoy what I share with you.
I want to say at the very start that after reflecting on this journey, my holiday has one theme to it: "Treasures in Heaven" The Bible says in Matthew 6:19-21 New International Version (NIV):
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
With this in mind I want to share with you my holiday treasures. The first treasure took place while I was back in my hometown getting to see 5 of my 6 nieces and nephews. We just hung out and caught up with one another. It was so strange to see how fast kids grow!!! After spending some time in my hometown, we travelled to where my Grandmother lives and it was there that we were able to celebrate her 75th birthday and my daughter's 5th birthday together. I realized that my Grandma had only met my daughter once before and that was at my daughter's 1st birthday party! How SAD is THAT??? Needless to say, the visit was so great. My Aunt made the party so special with balloons, old time games like pin the tail on the donkey (they use stickers now for the tails...how smart is THAT?), she made a ton of delicious food and it was so nice to see my Grandma who is blind play the game with my daughter. Turns out that Grandma won but in my Aunt's house that means BOTH birthday girls got a prize of $5.00 each! Too fun! I was able to catch up with two Aunts, an Uncle and my lovely Grandma. All are treasures that I pray will be stored up in heaven. It seems that time and life has a way of getting in the way of staying connected. This has made me think a lot and I pray that I will no longer take the treasure of my extended family for granted. I must do better at staying connected.
Well sadly, I left my camera at the hotel for this venture and my Mom still has not sent any to me so I have no pictures to share from this holiday treasure. Maybe just maybe if and when I get them I will be able to share this part with you.
I will end this holiday treasure for now. I ask you...Do you have a family member(s) that you have not connected with in a long time? Maybe it is time to reconnect! Think about it...They are treasures.
Well I know it has been a long time since I have really written a post but I am BACK! My family and I were away for what feels like forever. Over the next while I will be highlighting some fond memories I have from the trip we just took. I hope you enjoy what I share with you.
I want to say at the very start that after reflecting on this journey, my holiday has one theme to it: "Treasures in Heaven" The Bible says in Matthew 6:19-21 New International Version (NIV):
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
With this in mind I want to share with you my holiday treasures. The first treasure took place while I was back in my hometown getting to see 5 of my 6 nieces and nephews. We just hung out and caught up with one another. It was so strange to see how fast kids grow!!! After spending some time in my hometown, we travelled to where my Grandmother lives and it was there that we were able to celebrate her 75th birthday and my daughter's 5th birthday together. I realized that my Grandma had only met my daughter once before and that was at my daughter's 1st birthday party! How SAD is THAT??? Needless to say, the visit was so great. My Aunt made the party so special with balloons, old time games like pin the tail on the donkey (they use stickers now for the tails...how smart is THAT?), she made a ton of delicious food and it was so nice to see my Grandma who is blind play the game with my daughter. Turns out that Grandma won but in my Aunt's house that means BOTH birthday girls got a prize of $5.00 each! Too fun! I was able to catch up with two Aunts, an Uncle and my lovely Grandma. All are treasures that I pray will be stored up in heaven. It seems that time and life has a way of getting in the way of staying connected. This has made me think a lot and I pray that I will no longer take the treasure of my extended family for granted. I must do better at staying connected.
Well sadly, I left my camera at the hotel for this venture and my Mom still has not sent any to me so I have no pictures to share from this holiday treasure. Maybe just maybe if and when I get them I will be able to share this part with you.
I will end this holiday treasure for now. I ask you...Do you have a family member(s) that you have not connected with in a long time? Maybe it is time to reconnect! Think about it...They are treasures.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Holiday Blessings
It has been a while since I have shared. I am sorry to report that it will be longer still. I have one week of holidays left and one week of camp to attend before I can go into any details on the following holiday blessings:
- Birthday celebrations with family
- 40th Wedding Anniversary vow renewal
- "Circle Church"
- The passing of my husband's Grandmother (sounds odd as a blessing I know but wait for it)
- Visiting friends on Vancouver Island (Didn't get to see all our friends tho *sigh*)
- Chocolate Tofino
- Hiking Rain forests
- Walking many beaches
- Camping in the fresh air
- Spending time in BC with family
These are just a few of the blessing I look forward to sharing with you when I am back from vacation and we aren't even done yet! Hopefully you will be ready to hear some stories and see some pictures. See you in a couple of weeks. Hope your summer is as great as mine.
- Birthday celebrations with family
- 40th Wedding Anniversary vow renewal
- "Circle Church"
- The passing of my husband's Grandmother (sounds odd as a blessing I know but wait for it)
- Visiting friends on Vancouver Island (Didn't get to see all our friends tho *sigh*)
- Chocolate Tofino
- Hiking Rain forests
- Walking many beaches
- Camping in the fresh air
- Spending time in BC with family
These are just a few of the blessing I look forward to sharing with you when I am back from vacation and we aren't even done yet! Hopefully you will be ready to hear some stories and see some pictures. See you in a couple of weeks. Hope your summer is as great as mine.
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