Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Treasure hunting tuesday!

Look at these amazing finds from my local thrift store!
A precious book called "Things to make and do"
Its filled with games and crafts and anything else a child could need to be entertained!




Score! A Le Creuset! For $12!
I am stoked!


These adorable tins, begging to be filled with fudge!


And I even rolled up my sleeves and did some sewing!
We are slowly ridding our house of plastics, so I sewed a bunch of fabric snack bags! (velcro-less obviously, Im not that talented!)
I like how they turned out!

Amazing thrift-store finds, fun fabric and a sleep-in this morning.

Tuesday, I like you!
(even if it is raining out.)


Monday, August 30, 2010

These are a few of my favorite things.

Super cute vintage finds.



My adventurous brother.



Copper, my beagle nephew!



Discovering new creatures at the river!


Time spent with precious friends!



My super-cute new brother-in-law



Flowers from my love.

Lastly, and probably my favorite "thing" ever...
My "so good I wanna enjoy it all over again, good to the last drop, make me laugh when I should cry, read me like a book" husband.
(Holding some very manly flowers!)

Ahem...

I just wanted to announce that I am officially and forever in love
with thrift stores and all things vintage.
Thats all for now.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Ramblings of an overtired wife.

Maybe its because I still have sleep lines on my face from my very needed nap, or just because I'm missing Andrew and dreaming of how beautiful life is when hes around.

(He has only left me for a week, don't worry. Hes up north hunting moose)

but I'm dreaming of the beauty in life.

Simple things.

The color of the sky, what the rain smelt like today.

The jars at our wedding, the laughter and pure joy that that day carried.

Our wedding pictures which capture Andrew and I so perfectly.

I'm also dreaming about the future

(far far future)

about when we have ourselves some little bubbas running around.

Of sticky fingers from lemon curd and homemade strawberry jam..

Of going to oma and opas house and eating canned peaches with vanilla ice cream.

Of doing crafts together and learning about the amazing creatures in this world!

(The HUGE spider I encountered this morning doesn't fall under that category)

I cant wait (Wait, scratch that. I CAN wait) to explore the world with them, to see it through their eyes.

I wonder what kind of a mom Ill be. What will we teach our kids,
with or without meaning too.

Sometimes it seems crazy that we will be entrusted with these little souls.
What a huge responsibility.
Seems a bit overwhelming.
There are so many women that I know that are incredible mothers.
I am in awe of them, of their patience and creativity.

Of their love!

Like my friend from church, we'll call her C.

C has 3 kids, aged 4, 2 and 2 months.

Her kids are beautiful, truly.

They re spunky and funny and adventure seekers!

(The 4 year old is already a full on rock climber!)

When I spend time with C, I'm constantly amazed at her love for her children.

She not only seems to love them, she LIKES them!

She likes being around then, listening to their stories, hearing about their days!

She likes them even when they re miss-behaving and not listening!

She even likes them when the 2 year old is climbing a tree naked!

I know I know, of course she likes them! They're her children!


But Ill admit, one of my biggest fears about becoming a mother is I'm afraid that I wont like my children!

I'm afraid that I will be so sick of the fighting and crying and stress that comes along with motherhood that, even though Ill love my kids, I wont LIKE them.


And just when I'm ready to throw in the towel and go tell Andrew that "Sorry, children are not going to happen!" I get a gentle reminder.

Of all those times that I misbehaved and made bad choices.

All those times that I didn't listen to my parents.

All those times that "I know I'm right" only to find out that, once again, I wasn't.

I cant count the number of times that Jesus has gently led me back onto the right path.

Too many times, sadly.
He is always patient and kind, never quick to anger.
And at once, I'm comforted. Because I know that as long as I'm seeking His face, daily committing my life to Him, there's no way I can fail.
Because He never fails.
He will never fail me, even when I'm at my wits end, with nothing left to give.
He always shows up, even when I feel alone and overwhelmed.
He is just that good.
And because He is that good, I know that I will be OK.
Andrew and I, we will survive.
In fact, we wont just survive, we will live life and enjoy it to the fullest,
because that's what God is about!
Hes about enjoying the small things, seeing beauty in the world,
sucking every last drop of life out of every day,
because in the end, it all goes to fast.

And today, tomorrow and the next, I will live that life and enjoy it!
Because after all, life is sweet.



Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Let the good times roll...

What a weekend! I had such a good time..

First thing on the agenda was Amandas stagette
(Amanda is getting married to my brother-in-law in 2 weeks!)
We surprised her by renting a ranch house in Quilchena, north of Merrit.
It was beautiful, surrounded by wheat fields and horses!



Even the doorknobs were amazing!
We enjoyed dinner out, wine, walks, games and lots of laughter!
And after 2 nights there, I headed to Sunpeaks.

I really really loved my time up there.

I really am so blessed to have a beautiful home to stay in, along with an amazing family built in!

We hiked, ate chocolate, watched "Mamma Mia", sat in the hot tub and ate food.

Yup, We ate LOTS of food.
Diane made 4 large pizzas for 5 of us, figure that out! :)
We took the chairlift to the top to hike. Beautiful!




We even saw a bear in the backyard!
Thank again Smids for having me!
I loved spending time with each of you, you are an incredible family,
thank you for allowing me to be a part of it for the weekend!

Monday, August 23, 2010

A PG rated version.


OK so you have probably heard of "S*** my dad says".

If not, its a blog that a guy started, recording things that his dad said on a daily basis. His dad is 73, grumpy and hilarious. Since there is quite a bit of swearing, I though I would post a few of them, censored! Enjoy!


***********


"The baby will talk when he talks, relax. It ain't like he knows the cure for cancer and he just ain't spitting it out."


"You worry too much. Eat some bacon... What? No, I got no idea if it'll make you feel better, I just made too much bacon."


"Pressure? Get married when you want. Your wedding's just one more day in my life I can't wear sweat pants."


"I think the baby crapped....Well, I'm smelling crap right now, so if it ain't the baby, one of you has a big problem."


"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present...Oh, mom got you one? Well, that's from me then too, unless it's crap."


"Here's a strawberry, sorry for farting near you...Hey! Either take the strawberry and stop complaining, or no strawberry, that's the deal."


"The worst thing you can be is a liar....Okay fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but THEN, number two is liar. Nazi 1, Liar 2"


"How should I know if it's still good? Eat it. You get sick, it wasn't good. You people, you think I got microscopic eyes."


"Your brother brought his baby over this morning. He told me it could stand. It couldn't stand for nothing. Just sat there. Big let down."

**********

Monday, August 16, 2010

Trusting step by step.

The past month has been interesting, spiritually speaking.
Andrew and I are getting used to the whole "married" thing (and LOVING it, FYI)
and because we are married, we are also having to make some big decisions.
Where will we live?
When will we have kids? (not for a LONG time!)
What do we want our lives to look like?
Where is God leading us?
You see, I have always loved travelling.
OK, "love" is not a good enough word for it.
I live for travelling.
I am alive then.
I see God there.
I love being there, not only out in the world, seeing the incredible things out there,
I LOVE telling people about Jesus!
I love attending a church that is so different from the ones back home.
I love speaking truth into peoples lives!
I love having to preach to a church of 200 with 5 minutes to prepare.
I love praying for miracles and then seeing them happen.
Its something that God has put on my heart.
Its something that is heavy and hard to carry.
Loving the nations is not a part time job.
Its not going to the "nice" places in this world.
Its being IN the world, but not OF the world.
Andrew and I are praying hard.
We are praying that God will be glorified by our marriage, our choices, our lives.
We are willing to go, anxious even, but we will not take a step forward unless we know its the steps that He has called us too.

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good news."
Isaiah 52:7

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ive got a lovely bunch of coconuts.

Today, for breakfast, (dont tell Andrew!) I had a well-rounded meal.


Coconut ice cream!



It was so good that I decided to explore the world of coconuts!


There are so many things you can make with coconut!

Cake!


Yummy drinks!



Not to mention the obvious!



Then I saw something that I honestly did not know existed.

A coconut crab.


Yup.
Sick.
I might hate coconuts now.



But how cute is this little comic?!

I miss my Husband.


I'll be there, my darling, through thick and through thin

When your mind's in a mess and your head's in a spin

When your plane's been delayed, and you've missed the last train.

When life is just threatening to drive you insane

When your thrilling whodunit has lost its last page

When somebody tells you, you're looking your age

When your coffee's too cool, and your wine is too warm

When the forecast said, “Fine,” but you're out in a storm

When your quick break hotel, turns into a slum

And your holiday photos show only your thumb

When you park for five minutes in a resident's bay


And return to discover you've been towed away

When the jeans that you bought in hope or in haste

Just stick on your hips and don't reach round your waist

When the food you most like brings you out in red rashes

When as soon as you boot up the bloody thing crashes

So my darling, my sweetheart, my dear...

When you break a rule, when you act the fool

When you've got the flu, when you're in a stew

When you're last in the queue, don't feel blue

'cause I'm telling you, I'll be there.


Andrew,
Our union is like this: You feel cold, so I reach for a blanket to cover our shivering feet.
A hunger comes into your body, so I run to my garden and start digging potatoes.
You asked for a few words of comfort and guidance,
and I quickly kneel by your side offering you a whole book as a gift.
You ache with loneliness one night so much you weep,
and I say here is a rope, tie it around me,
I will be your companion for life.
"Our Union” by Hafiz


Sometimes Im not good with words, but I love that God has created people who are.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Deedah Trailer

This video makes me cry because of the sweetness of it.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Living the dream.

Yesterday, while watching ANOTHER James Bond movie (sheesh! how many of those do they have to make!), I dreamed about owning my own VW Bus. (note: I was no longer paying attention to who Bond was saving, as I had my own fantasies to fulfill!)
So far, this is my dream:
Beautiful. Just plain beautiful!

Oh the things that we would do if we owned one.
We have talked many times about driving across North America, from Vancouver all the way over to New York, and then on down to Miami.
We've talked about living in the bus, working when we run out of money, and just enjoying a different pace of life.
We've talked about having to push the bus down a hill to get it started (anyone see "Little Miss Sunshine?!") and getting our knuckles greasy when it refuses to run!
I dont know when or if the day will come when I finally get to call one of these my own, but a girl can dream cant she?


Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The apple doesnt fall far.

Thought of the day:
You know you haven't blogged in a while when it takes 6 tries to figure our your password!


Scary thought of the week:
I am becoming my mother.


I was trying not to notice. In fact, Ive spend 24 years avoiding the topic!
I denied it, I laughed at the thought!
I humored my friends when they'd mention it to me, thinking "Poor so-and-so, the stresses of life are finally getting to them".


But yesterday, it was cemented and a light switch came on in my head.

It happened in my parents backyard.
My new husband and I were painting and building some stuff, and I
was wearing a shirt I really like.
(One that my good friends Michelle and Spencer gave me. They're moving away soon! No way am I going to get paint on something they've given me!)

So I went inside and borrowed something from my mom.
A flannel shirt.
Normal? Maybe.
Except that ANYTIME my mother is doing ANYTHING outside, painting, mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, trimming the trees while standing on a ladder that's standing ON our travel trailer, she wears this flannel shirt.
It has rips and holes and paint splatters. Its HUGE on her, always going down to her knees.
That's the one that I grabbed.
It smells like her, mixed with the smells of summer.
It is way to long on my arms, so I quickly roll it up and snap together some of the buttons, shove my hair into a messy lopsided pony, and am off to work!

As I innocently walk outside, my husband looks at me, chuckles and says

"You are exactly like your mother".

Did you hear that!!!


"You are EXACTLY like your MOTHER!"


Poor guy. Newly married, inexperienced when it comes to things you should NEVER say to your wife!
But when he said it, I took a deep breath and looked down at myself.
And although I wanted to laugh and tell him that hes crazy and also, that hes in trouble, I realized that hes right!


Example: Large quantities of fruit.
"What?" you may ask.
Its true! My mom always buys LARGE quantities of fruit!

When you have 3 kids, plus 2 foster guys, plus multitudes of people in and out of your house, you buy bulk! and I'm not talking about the "Ill-buy-a-pack-of-three-and-save-two-cents" kind of bulk. I'm talking about the "buy-one-case-of-peppers-and-get-sixty-pounds-extra" bulk.

So I bought bananas the other day. I love bananas! I have one every day in my breakfast-shake. I put them in muffins and cereal! They're great! (Except for when they're green. My bananas HAVE to have brown spots on them, or I wont touch them.)


I got home and put them on the counter and a little voice said, "That's something your mom would do".

It was my husband. And I ignored him.

This is what he saw, that I didn't.

(keep in mind that we live in a TINY condo and we never buy bulk ANYTHING because of the sheer lack of space!

I am becoming my mother!


But you know what, its not so bad!
My mom is crazy.
Seriously.

She does not have the mind-set or thought process of most mothers.
Shes wild and hyper and loves adventures.
She gets impatient if you don't want to play with her, so she invents her own games.
She has more energy than a 2-year old and the attention span of one.
She laughs at inappropriate times and does not have a filter on her mouth!

But she is caring and kind. She loves people and is the most generous person I know.
She sees a need and fills it, she isn't afraid of hard work, and she makes others laugh. Shes an amazing cook and is so creative and fun! She holds crying baby and they instantly fall asleep. She strives to understand her kids and do things that bless them. She treats her daughter and son-in-law like her own children.
She is definitely not your ordinary mother, if you ever meet her, you will agree!
but shes my mother, and if I am becoming her, I am honored.
But I will have to hold off on bananas for a while.