I kind of reached my tipping point yesterday in all of this heat. Summer so far has been a fairly balanced combination of hot and pretty warm, but still manageable.  I've been doing quite well at keeping cool, considering this 9 months pregnant business. Suddenly, though, it became unbearable. I'd feel like I was suffocating. I would sweat buckets all day long. My feet felt like they would pop with all of the swelling. Not to excuse my behavior, but I'm pretty sure my discomfort made me short-tempered and irratable.

So. Today. Today I have forsaken my (messy) house to enjoy the A/C of my in-laws' house. Joey gets the evening off tonight and I'm going to make a nice, home-cooked meal for all of us to enjoy. I will not be overwhelmed by the heat and I will actually enjoy these last few days of being a family of three. I'm not impatient yet, but I do hope this baby comes somewhere close to his/her due date... which is TWO. DAYS. AWAY.

a time for everything

A lady asked me yesterday if I was counting down the days until this pregnancy was over, or if I was able to take it one day at a time. I was truly able to answer with the latter. I may fill big, bloat-y, achey, uncomfortable, and hot, but am I impatient to end it all? Surprisingly, no.

In some ways I feel like life has been on speed-dial ever since Joey and I got married. We conceived three months after the wedding, had a baby shortly after a year of marriage, conceived again when our first child was only seven months old, and now, at nearly 2.5 years of marriage, we're about to have another child.

I am neither gloating about nor regretting the way our lives together have started. God's got different timelines for everyone, of this I'm certain. What has been impressed on my heart is how precious every season of life is. Why would I want to waste these last days together as a family of three fretting about and attempting to speed the coming of the next stage in our lives?

The last couple of days have been as Judah-centered as I could make them. That's meant that I've spent a lot of time playing with him and simply savouring the blessing of my big boy, my first child. He's going to change so much when this new baby comes. He's going to be the big brother - the one that looks out for his siblings. He's going to set the standard amongst our children, whether he likes it or not. They will look up to him and try to emulate what he does. My baby boy is about to discover what growing up is all about. It's come sooner for him than it does for many children. Knowing his temperament and easy-going disposition, I'm quite certain it will be a good transition for him. That, and I know God's is our strength, our portion, and our sustainer.

I am filled with wonder at this new little person inside my belly. I'm already anticipating the warm skin-to-skin I will get to enjoy. I can't wait to breathe in the sweet scent of yet another precious little baby. I am going to be amazed at how small s/he is in comparison to my almost-30-pound toddler (whom I still regard as small, thank you). I'll be startled by the newborn startles, hiccups, and itty bitty cries. All of these things have a nearly irresistible draw to me... but they will come in time. God knows exactly when this miracle will take place. I can rest assured in that knowledge. Until then, I will rejoice in the blessings I have been given and pray for the strength and desire to give those blessings back to Him.

this is me, waiting.

I have lots of nothing to update everyone on.

• Yes, I am still pregnant. The good old "you're still pregnant?" questions have started to come my way. I do not despise them at all. I love evry kind-hearted person who asks such an innocent (and obvious) question, especially in person. It makes my day!
• We no longer have a cat. This saddens me (slightly). Our house just has no good place to keep her litter box and the idea of being pet free at this very changeable place in our lives was a thought too sweet to ignore. Don't worry, everyone, we found an excellent home for her with a cat-loving friend of ours. He was actually one of the reasons we rescued this cat from the streets in the first place!
• We are still without hydro electricity. There was a fleeting hope that they would come on Friday (we heard it straight from the horse's mouth) (or someone's mouth who had just spoken with the horse), and seeing as that day has come and gone, Monday is our next hope.
• This week is supposed to hover around a wonderfully bearable 24 degrees. 
• Judah had his first quad ride yesterday. And became bored with it. 

Because I don't feel like putting the work into incorporating them into this post, I leave you with three random pictures.

I finally finished the baby blanket I was making for Nutmeg! Go me!

This picture makes me LAUGH. 

What a little muffin. 

refuge

Where did this exhaustion come from? I seem to have gone from "WOO HOO NESTING!" to a complete lack of energy overnight. The last two days have been particularly rough. Thankfully, I've seen God's mercies both days when I put Judah down for what I knew would be a nap for me and likely an hour of boredom for him in his crib. Not so - both days he went to sleep without a fuss and slept for a whole 1.5 hours. That's on top of the 1.5 hours he had already slept each morning. Like I said, God's mercies.

I just feel like I am going to burst out in tears tonight. I don't exactly know why. I think it's the culmination of many tiny stressors throughout the day - and I just can't make the pain go away. I can't turn my brain off. I just can't do anything.

There's only one place I can go for refuge - my mind knows it, my heart craves it, my flesh despises it. Oh, God, give me the desire to seek your face.

dinner guests and the return of camp

We actually had my parents over for supper last night! They made the 4 hour trip yesterday to come see our new digs, the beach-ball-baby, and the growing toddler. It was excellent. We bought probably the most expensive steaks I've ever seen and Joey barbecued up a tasty, splurge-tastic dinner for all. They didn't mind at all that they had to sleep on our living room floor, use a lantern at night, and pour water into the toilet to flush it. Then, as quick as they came, they left this morning at 10:15. Mom's driving while Dad works on his sermon for tomorrow morning and gets mentally prepared for the crazy busy day he has ahead.

As for us, we're getting into camp-mode full swing now. For me that mostly means that I take the Cuteness to the lodge for lunch and supper, say good-bye to Joey by 7:00 in the morning, and hello at 9:00 (or later) in the evening. We'll be getting two nights off a week to be a family together (with the exception of Saturday, of course - everyone gets Saturday off) once the Camp Machine starts running. This is a big improvement from last year's schedule! It's kind of necessary now that our house is further removed from camp and I'm about to pop. Just wandering across the yard to visit people isn't an option anymore. I am, however, extremely glad that we are no longer living right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of camp. It feels more like a retreat to come home.

Every day that hydro does not show up seems to add a weight to my shoulders. I don't want it to, but even though I say "I trust you, Lord", I stress out over it. I want to do laundry. And have a bath. And use the dishwasher. And bake bread. All in my own house. But I can't. Even so, I know we are still very much blessed. We have so much. I need to keep reminding myself about that... every minute.

---

Happy 16 month birthday to my little goober!

the worst day to expect to keep your sanity

Yesterday was one of those grossly hot days. I heard something like +34 with a humidex factor that made it feel like +44. Blech! I smugly thought I had cheated the system when I went for a midwife appointment an hour or so away. A/C'd van hooray! I mean, it really was a good theory. I even planned a whole bunch of not-quite necessary stops just to take advantage of the time I didn't have to spend in our boiling house.

What I did not consider was that Thursday comes before Friday and that Friday is CANADA DAY and therefore a HOLIDAY which means stores will be CLOSED the next day, highways will be PACKED, people will be all ROAD-RAGEY, and shopping will be a NIGHTMARE.

I left at the normal time for the appointment, which usually leaves me with 10-15 minutes to spare - perfect for this single-parent-travel business. I ended up getting there 10 minutes late due to the crazy traffic, running out of gas, and people thinking that road rules don't apply on the day before a holiday. (They so totally do.)

Sidenote: the appointment went well, it seems. Everything's right on track and baby's going to come some time in the future. Ha.

I then made the foolish decision to start my shopping at Superstore. Superstore, of all places! People had CART RAGE in there, I tell you. I had to make some quick decisions because OH MY IF I DON'T GRAB THAT LAST CARTON OF MUSHROOMS NOW THEY ARE GOING TO DISAPPEAR AND WHAT ARE STEAKS WITHOUT MUSHROOOOOOOOMS?

Check-out line with four rude little boys and parking lot frogger navigated, I made a hugely satisfying decision: to NOT visit the three other stores I had intended to peruse and get home ASAP. Except ASAP turned into 25 minutes extra stuck in traffic. You get the point, though.

To reward myself for my excellent handling of unnecessary stresses, I made a beeline to the McDonald's along the highway to get a milkshake (because it was either sugar or caffeine and seeing as caffeine is not good for settling nerves and I apparently lost a pound last week, sugar was totally justified).

The McDonald's. Was. Closed... or something like it. The entrance was completely gated off and by the time I had realized the timid girl in a safety vest was actually there to direct traffic into the previous entrance, I had already been herded out the exit ramp and was signalling left to get onto the highway.

So ends my day of frustrations - and I didn't even mention the person who was parked across the entrance to the clinic's parking lot.

tonight's entertainment

blessed

Joey stayed home from corporate camp staff training this year to a) spend time with his family b) help get this house properly unpacked, and c) not leave his 9-months-pregnant wife and toddler at home without (much) electricity*. We worked pretty hard this weekend to make this house a place of rest and retreat in what will be a very busy camp season. In my experience, ministry is only as sustainable as your home life is peaceful. 

As of now, I can say that our home is about 80% set up - the exception being the stack of rubbermaid totes in our bedroom that have not found a permanent home and the study/piano room that is totally not functional as of yet. The rest is nearly complete! I can walk through my house and see only two or three small boxes instead of a sea of them. I feel so very much more sane with all of the freed up space in this house! It also helps that we took (nearly) a van load of things to MCC the other day. How did we have so much in such a small house, you ask? I have no idea. I guess there were a lot of boxes we had forgotten about down in our crawl space - stuff from years past, mostly pre-marriage. Whatever. It's gone now!

That's all I have time to show you for now. Happy Monday, everyone!

*We do have one plug-in available that is currently servicing our fridge and internet thingy. When the fridge stops cooling, we often unplug it to boil water or toast bread or straighten our hair or shave our beards... you can decide who does what!

50 things to be thankful for

1. Jesus died for my sins, and by His merit I am counted a child of God.
2. I have a wonderful husband who's done much more work for this move than I have.
3. My son brings joy to my life and heart every single day.
4. His skills of communication are growing daily.
5. My mom and dad are always thinking of and praying for me.
6. Nutmeg is no longer in posterior position.
7. S/he is growing just as s/he should be.
8. We are in our new house before camp and before Nutmeg arrives.
9. Living off of one plug-in is easier than I thought it would be.
10. We have access to clean water at all times.
11. This has been a complication-free pregnancy.
12. Our cat has adjusted wonderfully to the new house and even seems to be reconciled to Judah.
13. I am under the care of a midwife for this pregnancy.
14. Joey and I have made friends in our church community.
15. Praying for people is the deflater of bitterness.
16. The Holy Spirit presides over the word of God and He is faithful to teach the willing heart what its saying.
17. Sickness, pain, and death serve to point us to the all-powerful, all-sovereign God.
18. God has enabled many skilled people to write hymns and songs of praise that enable me to express what my mouth so often fails to find words for.
19. There are many people in my life whose faith I desire to imitate.
20. We have the freedom to ask God for what we lack, whether that be food, health, or faith.
21. God's ways will never be fully comprehended by man. If they could, He wouldn't be God.
22. Jesus Christ is at the right hand of the throne of God interceding day and night for His people.
23. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when our words stumble and fall short while in prayer.
24. There is no reason to be ashamed of the Gospel.
25. Every day brings enough time in which to accomplish exactly what God has set out before me to do.
26. So many of my friends are also experiencing the joy of new life - pregnancies and babies abound!
27. My husband's job enables us to raise a family in the beautiful countryside.
28. My husband's superiors provided us with a brand new house to live in.
29. The role of a mother changes and grows as both myself and my children change and grow.
30. We haven't had to worry about getting anything to prepare for this baby.
31. Judah will have a playmate in a very short amount of time!
32. We were able to purchase a vehicle that meets (and exceeds) all of our family's needs.
33. A messy floor means an active and developing child.
34. God's provided camp with a capable and God-fearing leadership staff.
35. Ice-cold showers leave you feeling refreshed and your hair silky-smooth.
36. God's conviction on how much stuff we possess and how we spend our money has come gently. 
37. We finally have a room to call our own in our house.
38. We ourselves have been untouched by flood waters.
39. The flooding going on across the prairies is not something that has escapee God's notice. He's still sovereign over it.
40. I have been able to keep in touch with far away friends via the internet.
41. God gives grace upon grace upon grace upon grace...
42. My husband's late maternal grandmother left behind an undeniable legacy of life in Jesus' name.
43. The Bible study group we are blessed to be a part of is continuing throughout the summer.
44. God is more powerful than my phobia of storms.
45. My son is sleeping peacefully in the next room, allowing me time to capture my scattered thoughts.
46. My husband is my best friend and every day together is truly a gift from God.
47. I now have the space I need to use my creative talents to provide for my family.
48. I am not an island unto myself as I journey on this narrow road - the narrow road of the follower of Christ.
49. I am seeing many, many answers to prayer, and God's using that to build in me the desire to pray more fervently, with more faith.
50. A thankful heart brings much-needed perspective to my life.

leg cramps

I have a question for all of you brilliant ladies out there.  Last night I experienced my first ever leg cramp and it's an experience I definitely don't want to repeat. It made me cry out in pain and went through three waves before it died down. When I got up this morning my leg was stiff and sore, causing me to limp. I'm pretty sure this is a pregnancy-related thing because my joints have also been swelling for the first time this pregnancy.

My question is this: any tips for keeping this nastiness away? I've heard drinking lots of water helps... but that's about all I know. Please leave your tips in the comments because PAIN WITHOUT A PURPOSE is lame. Very lame. I seriously prefer labour pains over leg cramps.

That's it for today, friends. We're going to be attending the funeral of my husband's maternal grandmother today. To be honest, this is only the second funeral I have ever had occasion to attend. I am grateful that I've never known what it is to lose a close family member. Life is short, however, and all must die. God holds all things in His hands.

the best way to camp...

...is in your own house. It's cozy and relaxing. Just don't try to run the water, go to the bathroom, or expect to plug in more than one thing at a time.

Judah is quite worn out from his day of RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING NEW HOUSE YAY!

That's how we're living right now! Our house moved here on Thursday and we decided that we would move all of our things in on Saturday, with or without water and electricity. It's now Monday and we still don't have either. The thrill of having a BRAND. NEW. HOUSE. is kind of too much for us to refuse, so we're camping out! We should have water hooked up tomorrow, which will mean we'll at least be able to get cold water. Hydro is supposed to come out shortly, but we figure that living without electricity and instant hot water is quite doable. Thank goodness for our former house a few hundred metres away - its fridge is keeping our perishables from perishing.

I spent the day sorting through all of the boxes that had been hiding down in our crawl space. It has caused me to question WHY I accumulate so much junk. Needless to say, many of my once-valued possessions are getting the cardboard-box-labelled-MCC treatment. It feels so. good. 

I'm proud of my wittle colour-coded bookshelf. It probably won't look like this for long.

My husband is taking the evening shift of unpacking. He sat through a standard first-aid course all day and is a little energetic right now. I, on the other hand, am propping up my swollen appendages. Happy eighth-month pregnancy woes to me!

BTW, I am L-O-V-E loving the natural light in our new place! I'm also loving the cuteness of my toddler...

I really don't know what to title this post...

This morning Joey received a phone call from a board member saying "the house is coming today!", which was totally awesome, but not totally unexpected. I've been praying that it would come on Thursday (today) for about a week now. I don't really know why I picked Thursday, other than that's just what I desired. I decided that I would include my desire in my prayers and trust that, whatever happened, God knew just the right time to make it happen. So, yes, even though my prayer may have been a touch silly, I believe God heard it and responded in His timing. God hears silly prayers, too, if prayed in faith.

Knowing that our presence wouldn't really be beneficial to the men bringing the trailer, Joey and I felt ok to head off to Brandon for my 35 week midwife appointment. It's not like it was an option to miss it, though. Anyways, the appointment was kept and we heard Nutmeg's little heartbeat for the umpteenth time. Apparently I didn't gain any weight since two weeks ago... which is kind of strange to me. I feel like I'm eating well, so I'm not too concerned. It's just strange to compare the weight gain last time (40 pounds total) to this time (12 pounds to date) and wonder if everything's all right. Nutmeg is still measuring on the small side, which isn't a concern as long as s/he's growing (which s/he apparently didn't over these last two weeks). We'll know by next week if we need to go in for an extra ultrasound appointment to make sure everything's on track. Prayers would be appreciated!

After making a quick stop at Superstore, we headed to a different city to visit Joey's maternal grandmother in the hospital. She's really not doing so well... so many things are just not working properly in her body. It's possible that she'll go to be with Jesus in the near future - a thought that is as bitter as it is sweet.

In one day we experienced the promise of new life and the sobering reality of nearing death. Sunrise, sunset. God's sovereignty evident in everything we do.

We finally got back to camp around 5:00 and took a look at our new digs. I can hardly wait to get all of this transition over with and finally relax! I feel like I haven't actually... unwound in a long time. My current house stresses me out. Having nowhere to work on projects stresses me out. Being right in the middle of camp hubbub stresses me out. Soon, however, those three things will be at least improved, if not resolved. I just want time to simply be and not have to do. Sigh... it's going to be a long summer.

Aaaaand... what would be a "we're getting we have a new house!" claim if I didn't prove it with pictures???

There are a couple of rooms I didn't capture, but that can wait until a later date!

thank you, Jesus, for...

about pregnancy 'n things

I'm tired. 

Nutmeg's kicks are feeling a lot less cute these days. I don't remember Judah kicking this much... or this hard. They are literally brace-yourself-and-hold-your-breath bad. It scares me to think that there are still five and a half more weeks left until his/her due date. Ima gonna be bruised from the inside by then - and baby's going to be so squished!

I'm also tired from the onset of a sudden sinus cold. I'll spare you the details. It's just tiresome and I feel like my head is in a complete fog at all times. It actually feels like I'm on some heavy painkillers (except without the pain-killing part) - I just feel kind of... numb... and out of it. 

I had a little taste of back labour today. My body's been doing a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions to practice for labour ever since week 20 or so, but this one was different. I felt my abdomen tightening, as usual, but then was struck with writhing-inducing pain in my back. I curled up on the bed and practiced breathing techniques (which are fab, by the way) and contemplated whether or not I should note the time of the contraction.  I've definitely felt contractions in my back before, but this was kind of intense. I started wondering if I had slipped a disk or something. Anywho, it passed quickly. I am grateful - and kind of determined to do everything I can to flip this posterior baby.

Everything is ready for our house to be delivered to its permanent site. I expect to be moving in a week's time! That being said, I'm going to have to try very hard not to overwork myself. There are a few friends that we're definitely planning on enlisting to help us out. But, yes! Things! They are happening have happened!

I leave you with my little monkey who INSISTED on climbing up onto our bed to eat his cheese. Such a toddler.

dirt and big machines

Things are actually happening at our house site. Several loads of dark earth were unloaded there the night before last, and yesterday the Big Boys moved in.

It's outrageous how much dirt has to be displaced to dig everything into the ground. I'm trying not to think too much about what our yard will look like after it's all said and done.

Look! Pipes 'n things. (I know nothing. I smile and nod and snap pictures, ok?)

It takes many watchers to get the job done. ;)

Oh, and they all must drive trucks. It's prerequisite. (There were six there at the time.)

Don't be fooled: those trenches are deeper than you think! They almost echo. Or not.

A close-up of the Big Boy in action. I am admittedly afraid of big, noisy, swivelling machines.

Today it looked like almost nothing had happened. What a lot of work!

I'm so grateful for all of the hard work these men have put in! By their labours, this view will soon be ours. Hooray!

---

Oh, and have you entered my giveaway yet?

things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass

Nutmeg is due in six weeks. And full term in three.

My husband has shaved his facial hair into what is known as a monkey tail beard. Google it. And be afraid.

The septic field for our new house will be dug tomorrow. I'm hoping to be moving in a week!

I finally "nested" and cleaned my house. Sort of.

I had to apologize to my cat today after wrongfully accusing her of scratching Judah across the forehead. It was actually a scrape.

I gained nearly half of my total pregnancy weight in the two weeks between my last midwife appointments. I am now being a good girl.

The Cuteness has totally adjusted to his new sleep schedule, although he is much crazier than he was before the switch.

Crazy as in totally adorable, of course.

All of our movies, books, and wii games are packed. This was done with the hope that we'd be too busy to need such things. We may or may not have opened up one of the boxes the other night...

I plan on giving away a very special homemade SOCK MONKEY on this blog in the very near future, but there will be a separate post for that.

My husband and I are sitting next to each other, totally absorbed in the interwebs on our own laptops. This must end NOW.

Good night!

on fear and faith

I have had an on and off phobia of storms (and, specifically, tornadoes) for the last eight years - ever since I was camping through a terrible storm when I was 14. For most of my high school years I would turn into an inconsolable puddle of fright hiding in the basement whenever I read the words "severe thunderstorm watch/warning" on my computer monitor. Then some things happened that made me face my fears - and trust in God. My family moved to a mobile home that had no basement. I could no longer trust in physical structures for my safety. Then I began working at a Bible camp for entire summers at a time. When you have eight or so little girls to look after in a tent/shed hybrid of a cabin, debilitating fear is not an option. Strong reliance upon God became the necessity. The fear I felt has never really abated in strength - it's just been countered by faith in God's sovereignty.

Now, as a new (and expectant) mother, I feel these fears rising to their old levels. I fear for my son. I fear for the squiggly (and pointy, might I add) baby inside my womb. I fear what the fear coursing through my body does to the tiny little human I'm housing. And I fear the future with the knowledge that, once again, we'll be living in a mobile home with no basement. Of course, statements such as "the most tornado-related deaths happen in mobile homes" don't do anything to help the situation. 

That's why yesterday was so tough. There were many severe thunderstorm warnings to be had around these parts, and I also had the task of driving to a nearby city when I knew bigger-than-golfball-sized-hail had already materialized along the road. Thankfully the storm had passed over by the time I got going, and there was really no reason to fear. Even so, I felt like my ability to cope with my fear had already been spent for the day, thank you. 

And then another warning came. I didn't need the computer to tell me that this time - I could see black clouds approaching (which, at camp, means that the storm is practically upon us) and could feel the sudden spike in temperature and humidity. Uh oh. The fear began rising before I could even assess the situation. 

Nothing much happened last night, really. The ominous clouds set a quiet and eerie tone over the whole countryside, as if every living thing was holding it's breath. Then the light show started. Every second brought at least one or two flashes of lightning that snaked across the heavens like an intricate network of veins. It was so bright, in fact, that I struggled to keep my eyes in focus. There was no reprieve. Among all of this, not a rumble of thunder could be heard. It was a silent display of power. The clouds, with bellies full of rain (the lightning often lit them up from behind), resolutely refused to unleash the downpour that the land was waiting for. Still, it seemed as though fear was gripping everything else as it was gripping me. I was prepared to take cover in our crawl space at a moment's notice, should the need arise. It never did. 

During all of this I found myself constantly giving over my anxieties to Christ. I held on to Philippians  4:6-7, which states "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". I grasped this command and promise in both hands, simultaneously pouring out all my fears to the Lord while feeling His calming presence surround me. When I would stop voicing my concerns to Him, I would quickly feel the fear jump back to it's usurped place in my heart. At one point I desperately questioned God as to why He couldn't just take away the fear for good, but then I realized ridding me completely of fear would leave no need for faith. And so I watched the skies, in awe of God's mighty power over creation and trusting mightily in His sovereignty over all things.

Oh, friends, we have a mighty God who gives good gifts to His children, but we so often refuse to bow our knees before His throne of grace to ask for what we need. Sometimes we do go to Him, but we think one moment of petition should be enough to last for a given amount of time. God's grace isn't like that - it's not poured out in little bits and then used up when a task is done. I believe we need to be in constant prayer for it and depend upon Him to supply every single drop to sustain us. God is not a placebo drug. He is the absolute IV of life. 

The sun is brilliant today. I can hear birds chirping and the countryside is greener than ever before. Our God is bigger, our God is stronger. God, you are higher than any other. Our God is healer. He's awesome in power. Our God...

because you were just dying to hear about my clothing struggles

I am so lame with my lack of picture taking as of late. I'm sorry, friends! I'm kind of exhausted these days, and I don't know if that's a good enough excuse for not taking pictures. This whole third trimester thing is kind of taking the wind out of my sails. Sometimes (if Judah cooperates) I take two naps a day. I'm seriously BEAT!

I attempted to provide myself with some comfortable summer maternity clothes today and discovered that SURPRISE! Maternity clothes are outrageously expensive - as if I didn't know already. So. After weighing my options and my desire to have shorts, I came home with two pairs of capri-length sweats. They are both  fit for public view, in my opinion, which is all I can ask for at this point. I also can recall spending the entire summer last year wearing full-length pants because I had no idea how to dress my new body shape and no desire to go clothes shopping post-partum. That was an uncomfortable experience which I do not wish to repeat. Yes. Active wear (and Superstore) FTW*! 

*that's "for the win". 

Words are far from me right now. I don't know what's happened to my desire to write lately. In my absence, you should consider picking up a really good book.   

some very exciting news

Well, at least to me. Our house that we've been waiting for is ready!!!  It's all built, just sitting on a gravel lot waiting for us to say "bring it!" The trouble is that the site here at camp is FAR from ready. Gah. No septic tank yet. No waterline. No hydro. No foundation. No new road. No nothing - just a few stakes in the ground. In all fairness, the board did say they would have it done by June 1st, which we are five-ish days away from. But, really? All of that in five days? Not likely. But as soon as it is ready, the house just needs to be plopped on and hooked up. THAT is what I'm finding excitement in.

PS It's wood tick season here, meaning I am officially feeling phantom ticks all over my body. Not cool.

another memory for the books

It seems that the most unconventional dates are the ones that I actually remember. We're out visiting our parents for the weekend and could hardly justify ignoring the chance to get out as a couple. The problem is it's raining quite a lot here, making any outdoor plans a little less favourable in our eyes. What's more, the city we're in runs quite short on indoor activities - except the movie theatre, which is the last place we wanted to go. Necessity proved to be the mother of invention last night, however, and a great date was had.

It started with some yummy pizza at Boston Pizza (half buffalo chicken (with blue cheese!) and half Greek), progressed to (overpriced (majorly)) blizzards at DQ, and ended with a movie on our laptop in the back of our van in a park. Strange? maybe. Memorable? definitely! 

If you ignore the fact that my husband is now incapacitated on the couch from some violent illness that struck him all of a sudden last night, it was a really terrific evening. (That may have been an invitation to pray for healing.) I'm getting the opportunity to play doctor for him, although I think I would rather have avoided the whole practice.