Good Morning!

Look Look! I'm posting again! Yay!!

So what else besides baby has happened in my life/in the lives of people close to me????

Well I went to an amazing wedding of a friend which was gorgeous! Their ceremony brought tears to my eyes! One of the most beautiful things (Besides the Bride ;D) was when the couple took communion together during their ceremony. They turned away from the guests and had a private moment between them and Jesus, it was wonderful and very inspiring!





A couple days later one of my best friends came home from her YWAM trip. 6 months before I said goodbye to her at my wedding knowing she was leaving while I was on my honeymoon. The core four (Her, myself, and our two other best friends!) had one last big hug together and balled because we knew we wouldn't all be together again until 6 months later! And the day finally did come when she left England and China behind her and come home!! Unfortunately one of the core four girls was off working at a Bible camp so the c4 reunite didn't happen until a very special weekend later this summer!




The next weekend My husband and I headed off to Vancouver Island for an awesome family reunion at a beautiful group camp ground! It sure was a party!! I really missed seeing all my family, many of them I hadn't seen in a couple years! Also this weekend is when I had to start telling people I was pregnant starting with my mom! I had found out a couple days before our trip but hadn't seen her yet. I was going to wait and make it a special announcement for her but she kept talking about how she was going to make me drinks and we were going to party that evening (Yes, my family reunions might be a little different then most of yours!!) I finally had to tell the truth, there were a lot of tears on my part, I don't know why I was so nervous to tell her!! She was thrilled! I told some more family on the day we were leaving but it would be a long time until I would announce it to the world!!

This is a waterfall I hiked to with some family while we were camping...this isn't my picture, I got it off google :D





The next weekend was my 2 year dating anniversary with my hubby (and also kinda our 6month wedding anniversary!) so we decided to take a surprise trip to where it all started, Pines Bible Camp. This was also where Josh's brother was for the summer and where my best friend was so we wanted to visit and share the baby news in person!  Halfway through our 5.5 hour road trip up there, we got a phone call. We were given the news that Pines had just been struck with a huge windstorm and that the camp had been evacuated. Also that my friend's brother was at the hospital, a camper had been killed by the storm, and that the camp was basically clear cut of all the trees leaving it bare.  This was very shocking, very emotional news. This place was so dear to our hearts, and so were the campers and the staff! But we had a place to stay outside of camp that night and we were already halfway there, we both felt that God was calling us to continue the journey and He would use us when we got there. We arrived late that night at the church in town where everyone had been evacuated to. The staff were in a long debriefing meeting (which was greatly needed) so we waited a couple hours for them to finish. Then the staff came out, many faces still with tears streaming down. This was a traumatic event for everyone and we knew it. My best friend walked, I hadn't seen her in a couple months and she didn't know I would be there. We hugged and cried and I knew exactly why God needed me up there, for her. Josh's brother also saw us and he went up to Josh and did the same, that's why God needed Josh up there too. We were able to bring some light when we announced to them were were pregnant! My friend yelled out "Best Day Ever!!!! ....well worst day ever, best news ever!" The rest of the weekend was tough, we went up to the camp to see the damage and help some of the staff retrieve their belongings from their cabins, some of which had been flattened. We joined in at a pool party later that day, the staff all just needed to be together and the families in the area opened their homes and hearts to them. A pastor from the Trail Alliance church came the next night and spoke to the staff at another gathering, by this time Josh and I had headed back home.

 The healing is still going on for the staff and the families and all those connected to Pines, especially for the family of the young boy whose life was taken during the storm. But there was light in what had seemed like darkness. Later that week at a fundraiser BBQ back in my home town, the pastor who was the speaker for that weeks camp came and spoke to us. He talked about how this little boy asked him many questioned about God and his faith and how that week he had given his life to Jesus and accepted Him as his savior. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that this boy is now in heaven with His Father. The Hand of God was also seen in the destruction of the camp, meaning that the buildings with the most damage were the old gym and the old cabins which were to be replaced soon anyways. Insurance will cover the fixing of all the buildings that got hit as well as building new cabins that will be as nice as the others. (Old cabins were just thin walls, bunk beds, two light bulbs and a plug in, the new cabins have insulation and heat and can be used during the winter!)

This is the Pines website, they have lots of pictures of the camp, the storm, and the rebuilding of it. Plus ways you can donate or help out. http://www.pinesbiblecamp.com/


Pines 50th year anniversary is next summer! For the last 4 years, there has been a plan to upgrade all the cabins, have a brand new dinning hall (just completed), adding an RV park (done), a new staff lounge (done)...and many more things. With the camps trees being cleared by the storm (and then all the volunteers that helped clean up the grounds) Pines is getting a face lift. And I know that by next summer, it will be a brand new camp, better than ever, being able to accommodate more people/staff/kids/volunteers, and be able to run programs and host events all year round. There is always Beauty in the Broken, that's when God works the most!



Well I have so much more to say about this summer but I will leave it for the next post!! Have a happy day!! <3 <3 <3

I'm Back!

Hello friends!! It has been quite a looong time since I've posted but I have no reason why. So much has happened in the last almost 2 months of me not posting!!

As many of you now know, I am pregnant!! Baby Neufeld will be here next march! I am a couple days away from starting the 2nd trimester! I can't believe how fast it's been going by! My first trimester went pretty well! I was pretty nauseous for a month or so but compared to many others, I had it good. The worst part was a quick battle with food poisoning but with my husband and my mother taking care of me, I started feeling better by the next day.

Today I am just over 13 weeks (past 3 months) and I am feeling great! I have started to be able to eat full meals 3 times a day which is great! My craziest "craving" so far has been chicken mcnuggets which I am not proud of. It doesn't help that there is a McDonalds outside my window and the smell sometimes fills the condo making my cravings start up again! Thankfully my husband is good at denying me the luxury of fast food and encourages me to find good food in the house! My second craving has been for yogurt. I don't really like yogurt though. Except for this awesome thick greek yogurt I just bought! yumm! It is the perfect breakfast with granola or fruit!

So far I haven't heard or felt baby yet but hopefully at my midwife appointment next week I will be able to hear the heart beat! My energy levels are picking up which feels great and I am feeling more and more pregnant everyday! My belly is tightening as baby grows but I'm not sure if I am actually "showing yet". I do get up at least once a night to go pee, usually around 4 in the morning. But I can fall back asleep pretty easily so it doesn't bother me too much.

Sleep has been a whole different story. Suddenly about 2 weeks ago my body decided that getting comfortable would be difficult! But with an extra duvet underneath me and an awesome body pillow from a great friend, I have been able to sleep pretty well!!

Joshua is soooo excited for this baby and so am I! He loves to tell me about the things I don't even know are happening! He says my belly is starting to grow with baby a bit! He also has observed that I sway often when walking and standing and that I tend to rub my stomach a lot too! I love it!!


Well I didn't mean for this post to be all about baby because we have so many other things happening too but I will post about those next!!! Happy Friday!!!


Ps. I will be hitting up the MCC Sale tonight and tomorrow in Abbotsford! For those who know what that is, I hope to see you there. For those who don't, the MCC sale is one of the biggest Mennonite fests in our area. There is tons of yummy food! (perfect for a pregnant lady!!) And awesome sales on things at the garage sales, and auctions, and Ten Thousand Villages is there so you can buy things from all around the world. Anyways, I am not describing it well I know, I have only been once I think. But now that I have married into a Mennonite family, it will become a tradition!  I know I will see many people I know and also will meet more of my husband's family and friends. http://bc.mcc.org/getinvolved/abbotsford-festival


Okay, bye bye now!!! <3 <3 <3 I'll eat some watermelon and rollkuchen for you tonight ;D

New Recipes!

I feel silly sharing these because I don't think I am that creative of a cook to be sharing my simple style of cooking. But I was inspired and for my friends starting to cook their own meals and learning how to feed their men/future husbands, I would love to share some easy tips to make things taste good!

Over the last 6 months of marriage I have been learning to cook with flavor and using whole, unprocessed food and it has been fun!

I love my Crockpot! I cook roasts most often in it but have also done a lasagna which was great! When I season a roast, I pretty much just use whatever spices I have in my cupboard and fridge. Garlic is always good (my husband loves it!), plus some Worcestershire sauce! I also make pulled pork roasts often.

For a great pulled pork roast:
   - Start with a pork shoulder roast, cut the strings off of it! (this is important, last night I totally forgot to and the roast tasted great but didn't pull apart at all, so we had slice pork sandwiches!!)
   - Then add a whole bunch of BBQ (we have a Louisiana hot and spicy one that my hubby really likes but whatever you have in the house or what is on sale works...I find the spiciness adds something special to the sandwich!)
   - Add a bunch of other spices too! Last night I used some Epicure burger and steak spice! It always seems to turn out no matter what I add to it!
   - Put it in the slow cooker for however long, mine usually goes for 6 hours on low. When it is cooked, pull it apart in the Crockpot using forks and stir it up in the sauce! Add more BBQ sauce if you need to! I let it cook a bit longer after I have pulled it so the sauce thickens!
   - When the pork is done, toast your sub buns! And add sauce! I like a bit of mayo on mine but honey mustard sauce tastes sooo good too, or more BBQ sauce!  If you have a good amount of leftovers (which I always do), just freeze it and then when you go to use it again, fry it up in a pan with some more BBQ sauce. It cooks up real fast in my non-stick skillet!

Another area I have explored is a way to make my vegetables more exciting! I love to steam my fresh veggies...mmmm, steamed green beans and broccoli!

I recently prepared a dinner for some friends and I steamed green beans. I then (in a bowl) drizzled them with some lemon juice and sesame seeds! By accident, it cooled down by the time I served it and it was sooo good cold! Super refreshing for a hot summer day!  This works for broccoli too!


Another fave recipe that I have had requests for is mashed potatoes! To give your mashers extra awesomeness, use cream cheese! Yes, yum, creamy awesome potatoes! I also add spices! Yes, spice up your potatoes! Last time I used steak spices but I have also used a red pepper spice and it was sooo good!


If you really want to impress company this summer, make a batch of fresh baking powder biscuits (super simple and rather quick to make, only 30 minutes in the oven!). Also, making some real Iced Tea is sure to be a treat for guests! My new fave iced tea is iced rooibos (red) tea. Just brew your tea double strength or more, then add a bit of sweetener (lemon, sugar, honey depending on the tea), and either chill and then pour over ice or do a quick cool down and immediately  pour over a glass full of ice cubes and serve!

Can you tell I love having guests in my home??? :D


I think that is all I will share right now! Sorry there are no pictures, I should try to take some the next time I am cooking fun things! <3 <3 <3 I hope you are having a great summer day!!

Ps. I would love to hear about some of your recipes!!

Coconut Oil!!

I love coconut oil! It is the only oil I cook with now and I I enjoy it so much!. I use a virgin organic coconut oil from Trader Joes and I really don't notice (nor does my husband) any coconut flavors in my food. But we both love coconut and have grown accustom to the taste maybe.... 

Some of the things I have used coconut oil for: 

• Cooking/frying perogies, stir fry, potatoes, veggies, and much more....I use it in my pans too! No more Pam for me! 
• I've used it as an ingredient for my recipes too! 
• Moisturizing the ends of my hair! I did this a couple times before I stopped using shampoo
• Oil Pulling! (I have only done this a couple times but plan to continue regularly!) *See video below for a good explanation of it!*
• For dry skin (like under your nose when you have a cold and you are constantly rubbing it raw with a kleenex!) 
• And I think that's about it! But I know there are so many other things you can do with coconut oil!! If you have suggestions, let me know in the comments below!! 

Here are a couple links on the benefits of coconut oil!! 

• http://www.fitnessgoop.com/2011/11/benefits-of-coconut-oil-for-pregnant-and-nursing-mothers/
• http://www.fitnessgoop.com/2009/11/coconut-oil-%E2%80%93-an-essential-fat-for-weight-loss/
• http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

I think that's all for today :D Enjoy the sunshine!!! <3 <3 <3 

JAM!!

Yesterday my mother and I spent the whole afternoon/evening together! It was great, I rarely see her anymore and now she is moving even farther away from me!  She came over to my house (after doing some shopping for our supplies) and we started the long process process of making jam! Strawberry jam to be exact!


I am so thankful to have a mother who spent her childhood in the kitchen with her grandma (my great-grandma) learning to bake bread, make meals for a full house, can fruits, and make jam! These are things I will pass on to my daughters for sure. 


We took about 30lbs of yummy local strawberries and turned it into 8 batches of jam, four for each of us! It was very important for me to make jam this year because my husband eats sooo much of it! I decided this soon after we got married! Every time I grocery shopped I was buying jam!!! So this was cost efficient and so much better because it is local fruit with no added preservatives. Just strawberries, sugar, and pectin. There is indeed ridiculous amounts of sugar, even when using the "light" more fruity recipe but my husbands body can handle it at this point and I consume it only on special occasions! 


I did promise to take pictures so here are a few off my phone :D 

Empty jars on one side, bucket of strawberries in the sink, and the full jars one the far side! Yes, this jam operation took up all my counter space! We didn't use all these jars, they were all given to me by my sister who had used them as wedding decor when she got married. 

MMMMM Skimming the foam off the top! That stuff tastes sooo good! 

My beautiful mommy wearing my apron! 

The foamy part is her favorite too!! 

These 11 jars are mine, so 4 batches of jam made this much! 

It might be hard to tell but I made 4 small jars, 6 regular size mason jars, and one gigantic jar which was almost a whole batch in itself! Josh called that one his "2 week jam jar"....I hope it will last longer than that!!! 

So there you have it. My jam. Yum Yum Yum! We have plans of canning pears and maybe making another kind of jam later this season! 

A Weekend of Fun and Adventures!!

This past weekend was stuffed full of family, driving, ferries, food, laughter, and quality time with my hubby! I tried to take pictures to share with you but I usually forget about taking pictures in the moment (or let other people take them!)! But Here we go!

My hubby had Thursday and Friday off work and I only had to work on Thursday until mid afternoon so after rapid packing, we headed out for a mini roadtrip/overnighter to a place we had never gone before! I managed to fix an awesome BBQ/tinfoil dinner and breakfast with all the things we had in the house already (woot for NOT grocery shopping). 

Yummmmm! 

We are slowly building our camping supplies this summer! I think our next big purchase will be a tent...sleeping in the back of our Tahoe was uncomfortable and way too warm!! 

Yay for campfires at free camping spots on the side of a gravel roads! This particular spot we found had a fire pit, a picnic table and two outhouses across the road! There were some other sites farther down the road but we couldn't hear or see them so it was just us and the loons! 

There were many mosquitoes that night...I had to cover up! 

The little train town of Ashcroft where we found our campsite! At this point we were at the gas station filling up before our trip home! This gas station (the only one we could find in town) also offered to take family, passport, and baby pictures; sold helium balloons and homemade sushi; and also did piercings and sold the necessary jewelry to occupancy the new holes! BTW, I read all of this and more on signs outside the store...I can only imagine what it was like inside!! 

After a long drive home from Ashcroft, we relaxed at home until it was time to go out for dinner and a movie! This was my husband's idea! So we went to our favorite restaurant, Montana's, right beside the movie theater and we were able to buy our tickets for $4 off each in the restaurant! Woot Woot for not paying full price for anything! We went and saw Madagascar 3, it was funny, crazy and random, but definitely funny! 

The next morning (at 4:30am to be exact) we woke up for another adventure! My sisters, one of their husbands, and both their babies picked us up outside our condo at 6 am and we headed to Vancouver Island for my dad's 50th surprise birthday party! I don't think all three of us sisters have been over to the island together since we lived there 11 years ago but we definitely hadn't seen my dad's side of the family together since then! It was a great reunion. The above image is of the stormy skies in the strait as we traveled on the ferry. 

While on the ferry, Joshua and I walked around and spent a lot of nice time together. we went outside into the stormy weather and found a sundeck (protecting us from the wind and rain!) and there was a man with a fantastically calming voice singing and playing his guitar! It was such a special time! I almost got up and danced!! 

We returned home late Saturday night and passed out right away! The next morning we woke up and went to the Chilliwack CityWide church service at the big arena! It was great! I love worshiping in a huge crowed, all the voices singing and cheering for Jesus together gets me really pumped!  

We then went to a car show in downtown Chilliwack which was huge! We finished off Sunday at my mom's campsite (where she is currently living before moving into her new house!). We swam in the pool and hot tubs and then had a great hot dog roast. It was so nice to have almost the whole family together outdoors! 

And now to the last picture! This is a view from part of a hike up Sumas mountain my sisters and I went on! (this was actually our first dead end/wrong turn but it was pretty!) Yes, my sisters strapped their babies into their hiking backpack things (weighing 30 lbs with baby and water bottle attached !!!) They are warriors!!! I was exhausted but so thankful they pushed me to go hiking with them! It was a great adventure!! And a great way to start off the week!!

That is all for today!! I have figured out how to take my pictures from my phone and put them in my computer so expect many more picture posts!! 

TTYL <3 <3 <3 

Ps. Shania Twain just came on the radio, like 90's Shania! "Whose bed have your boots been under...!"  Only my own bed Shania  ; D

Mennonite Girls Certainly Can Cook!!

I have know about the Mennonite Girls for a couple years now. But today was the first day I tried one of their recipes! Dinner tonight was Greek veggies and chicken! Yuuuummmm!!  I should have taken a picture of it but I didn't know I would post about my dinner until my husband and I already ate it! 

Tonight was full of firsts because I also used my dutch oven for the first time! Thanks Kitchen Aid for making great products that I love! And Thanks Sis for knowing exactly what I would need as a new wife! Okay, maybe I should stop with all the exclamation marks....can you tell I am kinda stoked on life right now?

I can't believe I am stoked on life because of chicken! Anyways, this recipe was super simple and super easy and I did change it up a bit (added more lemon juice, some red peppers and more spices). I feel like I have accomplished a great goal, I am on my way to be that wife that knows what to cook for dinner every night because she has a million recipes stored in the back of her mind! "Greek" chicken shall be a new favorite in this house. Did I mention my husband enjoyed it too?? (He is a bit sick tonight so it was hard for him to taste it, but what he could taste, he liked!) 

Back to twilight....eeerrrm, I mean the Mennonite Girls Can Cook. My mother in-law is fantastic with her sewing machine (and multiple other machines in her sewing room that I have no idea how to use!) and she just told me that she is making me an apron! And she found the same pattern as the aprons that the MGCC ladies wear! I am sooo blessed!  

I promise to add pictures to my next blog post! I love looking at pictures but I really haven't been taking any new ones that I feel I should share....but I will! I have a summer full of plans and can't wait to share them with you!!!

LOVES <3 

Going to Mexico!!

I wish!! Well I am trying my hardest to win a trip to mexico!! Woot Woot for save on foods! If I post this link (http://shopandspin.com/?plink=1339473604_XL8682)  I get more chances to win save on more points and gift cards and perhaps a trip to mexico. I figure at this point in my life, that's the only way I'm going to get there! A real blog post will follow soon!!! <3 <3 <3

SUNSHINE!!!!!

YES! FINALLY!!! SUNSHINE IS HERE!!!!!!

I am so happy to be staring out my window to a beautiful blue sky! I can't even see the smog today so it is even better!! I am so excited for this summer to come. Last summer's weather wasn't so nice and hot, and I didn't really get a good tan. But this summer, my husband and I plan to go on many adventures and camp LOTS! We love camping! Last weekend we went camping with family (extended family that isn't really my family but they feel like family so there!) and it was terrific. This trip was cold but that was okay, it is still technically spring so some cold nights are allowed!  We are looking forward to our freedom this summer (now being married ;D) to just pack up and go away for the weekend, just the two of us! I know God has great plans for us!!

Okay, this post is actually supposed to be about another blog that I have mentioned before. It is my sister's and she is amazing! I very much look up to her and respect her and try to learn from her as often as I can! God is doing amazing things in her life and in her family's and I am so happy to be apart of it! I really wanted to post a link to her newest post though because with all this talk about "attachment parenting" going on, I think people need to hear a real view on it! Someone who is honest and right smack in the middle of it all, following God's lead. <3

So take a couple minutes and pop over to http://www.mytrailinlife.blogspot.ca/2012/05/attached-and-exhausted.html

Enjoy <3 <3 <3 Happy Friday!!

Mother's Day!

I am not yet a mother but I am an aunty and a nanny and a Sunday school teacher so that should count for something right???

I had a wonderful day celebrating with my husband's family after church and then with my mom (and sisters and husbands and babies) for dinner! There was a time when mothers day was my two older sisters and myself taking my mom out for a nice brunch. Now it is complicated and busy!

As both my sisters are married and have baby boys now, holidays have turned into the ultimate organizing challenge. We have to plan who will be where at what time eating what meal and opening which gifts months in advance!!!! And each of my sisters has in-laws and then their in-laws have in-laws and it just gets so crazy trying to schedule thanksgiving dinner!  But I am so thankful for my family and really treasure the time we have together so I will continue to organize Christmas dinner 3 months ahead so that we can all be together.

I was reminded today by my mother-in-law how blessed I am to still have my great grandmother (my mom's blood grandma, who is now a great great grandma to my nephews) still alive! God has blessed me with a childhood filled with memories of family gatherings and holidays surrounded by the people I love most in this world!  In the last few years I have not been able to visit many of my relatives often, many I couldn't invite to my wedding because of limited space. But this summer my mother and cousin have organized a family reunion like we used to do every year on my Great Grandfather's birthday before he passed away. I know I might get bored of some of the social chitchat and "what's new kid?" questions but I am thoroughly excited to be with many of my family again, especially as an adult with my husband by my side.

Family is a gift, even when they drive you crazy. I know that one day I will probably not live so close to most of my family, but I also know that God has already started creating my knew family already. Even though it is just my husband, myself, and God, we are our own family who can start our own traditions and eventually raise our own generations!

I should end this post now because I am getting a headache from the cigarette smoke coming through my condo window...thanks neighbours for trying to poison me too! blah.....gross.  Sorry...I shouldn't be complaining when I just wrote such positive things. I will end this off with a funny video!


To all the mommies!!!!

This one is a short post today but I hope you can find the time to watch this video. It is a half hour long but worth! So often we are afraid to ask the tough questions and afraid of hurting feelings so we don't stand up for things we believe in. I almost didn't post this video because I was worried I would be making too much of a statement with it...but I did. So watch it! And warning, there are some graphic pictures. I pray you can share this with others and that God can encourage you with it to stand up for Him or even change your heart about the issues discussed. <3

http://www.180movie.com/

Without Cable

The only show I really miss watching on tv is 19 Kids and Counting! I am so inspired by the Duggars, their lifestyle, their faith, and how they raise their children! I have read their second book and went on a little journey with them as I laughed and cried, and learned!

I wanted to post this blog entry written by Michelle Duggar because I found it very inspiring! She is so positive and is really honest in her book about how with her first few children, she was not so patient and calm. It was something that she had to learn and had to let God teach her and really change her heart! Even those who seem like they are super moms and have it all together usually weren't always like that or still have their moments of struggling and learning!

Be encouraged and uplifted!

http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/health-wellness/has-michelle-ever-experienced-postpartum-depression.
 
......and this is another post that I think should be spread around. It is sad but I encourage you to reach out to the women around you who may have or are dealing with miscarriages. When it comes to pregnancy, birth, babies, and mommies, we need to be open and honest with each other and share the love and encouragement as well as the truth.

http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/family-matters/healing-family-after-miscarriage.html


<3 <3 <3 

Beautiful

This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. I don't even want to put and exclamation  mark because it just isn't enough. I have been trying really hard not to turn this blog into a Brantley Gilbert fan page but some things are just unavoidable.

So here you go. Listen. Cry. Enjoy.

Please check out other music by Brantley Gilbert. He is true country and loves Jesus! *Tear alert* If you listen to his song Saving Amy, you will cry, but listen to it anyways because it is also beautiful.


That is all for today <3 <3 <3

Great Advice!!

I started looking at youtube videos this evening and followed some suggestions and found myself watching old tv commercials! Then I came across this fantastic video!!

 It definitely made my husband and I laugh but as it came to an end, I realized how much I wish I lived in a different time! A time when things seemed simpler! But I have thought that often and I can't go back in time so I just need to change the way I live in my life! Some days that means eating organic fruit, buying local meats, supporting people/things/businesses that believe in home grown things the way God intended them to be! But right now it means wanting to raise my children so that they treat/are treated with the same respect shown in this video! I want my sons to ask a young ladies father before they start "dating"! And I want our daughters to be pursued by good young men that know how important it is to have her father's approval first! I want our children to court, to be serious about their relationships and protect their hearts and minds and bodies as God would protect them! My husband was my first boyfriend. I feel as if we courted each other. We were serious about dating and it's purpose to find a spouse. I am so thankful that God taught me this before I entered into a relationship, and I am so blessed to have only loved one man. But I want even more, even higher standards, for our children because God has given us the gift of relationships and marriage and that is something I never want to take for granted nor do I want my children to!


No, I do not have children yet, but God willing, we will have many in the future, and as every mother does, I want the best for them! I must admit that I have been greatly inspired by The Duggars on 19 Kids and Counting!  I find the way they live to be such a breath of fresh air! Many people say the world is over populated (which it certainly is not!) and that they shouldn't have that many children but they appear to be the most well behaved, respectful, considerate, faithful, and giving children (and young adults) I have ever seen! The way they conduct themselves in the public and in their home is beautiful and I would love a world full of Duggar children that love the Lord and give their life for Him! I intend to raise children similarly.......when they come.....I will need a lot of strength from Jesus for sure, and definitely an abundance of patience. There is much I need to learn before coming a parent but I am excited for that time to come! I greatly look up to my sisters and how amazing they are at being moms!! One of them has a blog...you should check it out! www.mytrailinlife.blogspot.ca


Okay, bedtime now!!! Usually I am already sleeping by 10pm......uhhh, i mean, up partying at this time like a cool couple that doesn't watch movies and eat samosas at home on a Friday evening..... Peace out!

What's Next....?

I am just starting to realize that I have been struggling with the question "What comes next in my life?" . These past few years my life has drastically changed from being a young teenager, still dependent on her mother and the public school system to an adult, with a husband, and a home to take care of. Since 2009, I have started my first job, quit my first job, learned how to drive, failed my driving test, passed my driving test and earned my licence, applied to university, graduated from high school, had my first boyfriend, recieved my first scholarship, started attending my first university, bought my first (and second and third cars), got engaged, dropped out of university, became an aunty for the first time, and got married. Yes I know that was a run on sentence, but it was for affect! What I am trying to say is that I have had constant change in my life up until now. Right now there are many new experiences that come with being married and independent from my parents, I feel as if I have started a new life. But What next, what should I do next, where should I go?

Having a relationship with a Saviour that knows my every thought and every movement and knows the big picture and every detail of my future should give me comfort. He knows...but what about me? I find myself getting caught up in my own plans, something I have struggled with often. It is hard for me to let go of something that has been so precious to me in the past. I have often idolized the future. Instead of having excitement and anticipation for where God is leading me, I get anxious that I might not be where I think I should be in the next 5 years, few months, or even weeks.

To Trust in the Lord is something I need to work on, it needs my full attention and awareness. It takes work for me to let go of my control. Sometimes I pray that my life will get shook up enough for me to just fall on my knees and have no barriers in the way of God having everything. I pray "God take everything, take my life, and use it!" But then the next day I fret over having enough money saved or if I will have a job in a few months.

This may not be as uplifting as some of my other posts but this is me being real. I pray that God can speak through me a message I dont even know I am saying. Please leave comments if God has spoken to you!  

This is my new challenge, to let go and let God be the driver of my life. I would rather just be the passenger anyways because I don't know when, where, or with who I am going (although I assume My husband will be right there beside me!)! I want to realize the big adventure I am already on with Jesus. I don't need to be halfway around the world to be experiencing God's great story He is writing!!! I might be far away someday, but for now, I want to try to love where I am, and open my eyes to what God wants for me!

As one of my favorite speakers, Kent Hovind, would say, "What on Earth are you doing for Heaven's sake?!?" I need to let God use me, I need to get uncomfortable. Too often we get stuck in the things we know and just shut our eyes to the possibility of things outside our comfort zone. I believe Jesus lived outside the comfort zone. He made everyone around uncomfortable and many people did not like it. At times, it was even hard for His disciples to follow Him because He was doing things so far out of what they had known to be socially and politically acceptable. So I guess that's my second challenge, to get uncomfortable.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." ~ John 11: 25-27 (KJV)

A Beautiful Day!

What a beautiful day it is today!!! Again, I am sooo thankful for the sunshine and the warmth it is bringing!! Yesterday my husband had the day off from work and spent it all with me! We slept in until 10am! We haven't done that in sooo long! Then I made waffles in my fantastic Belgian waffle maker with fresh whip cream and strawberry sauce. Of course he just put jam on the first waffle, but after a little "encouragement" from me, he tried out the strawberries and whip cream on the second one! YUM! My favorite! The only breakfast food better than a waffle is a crepe! And bacon of course, bacon always wins. Okay, now I am just starting to list off in my head all the yummy breakfast foods that I love! Oh how my mind runs away from me so often!

Anyways, yesterday, in the sunshine, my husband and I drove around and shopped, and did some errands, and ate yummy food, and splurged on some starbucks frappes! We rolled the windows down in the truck at every opportunity! I quite enjoy shopping with him! I actually buy more things when I am with him than when I am without him! This happens because when I am by myself (or with my sisters or girlfriends) I only by small things that I am very confident that I need and know are a good deal/good quality, and if I am not so sure, I wait and bring him to the store later....or I just forget about what I was wanting to buy. A good rule of thumb for me is if it isn't worth waiting and coming back to the store for a second look, then it isn't that important. This rule also works for thrift stores but I add: If it is not there when I come back, then it wasn't meant to be. But when I am with my husband, he can give instant approval of what I am looking at so we purchase much more in a day together. He also likes to buy things for himself, he enjoys shopping (at Canadian Tire and other stores that have a hardware/tool/automotive/outdoor/sporting section) especially when he can get new tools for work! I like to support him when he buys work things because it gives him more confidence about his work and more independence from his boss. Plus in the future, he can use those tools to build me a dream home! There isn't much construction he can do to our condo! ...I must add in that he rarely goes shopping by himself so it feels like we just jump off the deep end and buy everything in sight when together but really, he has been thinking about and wanting certain items for a long time and just hasn't gone out to get them yet!

Yesterday we also stopped at one of my favorite thrift stores! I know he loves me and wants me to be happy when he agrees to walk into a thrift store! He knows I will look at everything, he knows I will want to buy some very random things, he knows I will look through ALL the baby clothes (for my nephews of course!), and he knows we wont leave empty handed...and he still walks in beside me <3 I did resist the baby clothing this round, but I also tried to convince him to buy a shallow basket that I could put a pie plate in! It was so pretty and well kept and would look so cute when serving my fresh baked pies!!!! We didn't get it....I don't own a pie plate yet, and I have never made a pie on my own..... We did however pick up an original painting done on a round cork canvas and a book called Home Grown Kids by Raymond and Dorothy Moore. I am only on the first chapter and so far I like it. There is a foreword  in it by Dr. James Dobson so I figure it is probably good if he likes it! :D


I might start trying to shorten my posts, but I just love writing and sharing my thoughts!!  Quote of the day though, I found it off a blog I just discovered this morning!  Have a fantastic sunny day!!

“A mother is...one who can take the place of all others, but
whose place no one else can take.” ~Gaspard Mermillo

Wow this is good! I found it posted on another awesome blog and now want to share it with you!! I have just started reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas; my husband and I read the first chapter together a couple nights ago. One of the main themes is about how God designed marriage to make us holy not happy. So after reading that chapter, I found this post. I believe God was speaking to me so I felt I should pass on the message. I am now very excited to read further into Sacred Marriage and let God teach me some pretty important stuff! Yay marriage! As I have posted before, I am newly married but that hasn't stopped God from speaking through me about marriage and relationships to others! I have always loved giving advice and remember giving advice to my older sister about her relationships before I had ever even been in one. It is truly a gift to have God speak through me to so many people. Usually He speaks through me when I am one on one with someone (yay coffee dates!) and occasionally to my best friends in small groups or to the youth at my church. But now I have been given the opportunity to possibly speaking to many people through this blog! Yes I know not many people read my blog yet, but maybe someday God will use it as a tool to speak more publicly! He probably has bigger dreams for it than I do. Anyways, that is my post for the day! Be encouraged, God has great plans for you, just let Him lead you through them!

This morning I was thinking about what I should post and couldn't decided. What I did decide is to stay positive and not start ranting about things that really aren't that important :D I might make a few posts today, or just one really long one.......


The ideas running in circles in my brain this morning:


1.  The sunshine!!! FINALLY! I feel like I have been feeling more down lately because I have been lacking some nice sunny days so I am so thankful that the sun is shining brightly through my giant living room window! I will not be venturing outside today (too much housework) so I will pretend that it is a warm spring day even though I know it is probably pretty chilly outside! I never expected to see so much snow in March especially because we didn't even get snow on Christmas! The trees are still bare but God is breathing life back into the plants and trees and soon there will be flowers everywhere! I should start gardening.....on my deck, in a planter :D All I need are a couple of flowers and maybe a small shrubbery to take care of!


2. "Onesy" pajamas are fantastic. I am in mine right now! The only thing that could make mine better would be if they had "feet" attached to them to keep my toes warm! Thanks Sis for bringing them home from Wyoming for me!


3. Yesterday afternoon my heart melted into a big puddle as my nephew reached for me as I tried to say goodbye! He had just gotten really sick (throwing up) for the first time and I'm sure he was scared and hurting! He is only 9 1/2 months old but knew I was trying to leave so he pushed away from his momma and reached for me. There was no way I could have left him like that!! I picked him up and he nestled into me and wouldn't let go.......I stayed for another half hour and ended up getting home later than i was planning to and instead of making yummy stir fry for dinner, I threw a frozen pizza in the oven for my husband and I. It was worth it though, and my husband understands the need I have to comfort our nephew because we are both wrapped around his little finger. For that little boy (and our other precious nephew) we would do anything. <3

4.  This is the song I am listening to and I love love love it!!!

The Beginning!

Welcome to my first blog post on my first blog! Yay! Be patient and understanding with me as I figure out how it works! I am not that great with computer things so this is a big step for me! I am working on the design, I know right now it is a little trippy but we shall see if I can make it better! 

This blog is going to be about learning! More specifically about me learning to: be a wife, build a marriage, find a career path/something to do with my life, be "green" and become more natural in how live! 

I am young and newly married and find myself navigating through this new crazy world! I have dove into the great unknown with my Savior holding one hand and my husband holding the other! I have already been blessed more than I ever thought I could through my few months of marriage! Creating my own family with my husband has been full of joys and struggles and ultimately full of love and God!

I hope I can bring you some laughs and encouragement with each new post! I look forward to sharing my experiences with you!!! 

Ps. It's funny because I know that the first few people to read this will be my family and close friends! I love you! Enjoy my creative descriptions of my not-so-exciting life!!