I love Lucy!

This is Olivia(my sister-in-law)'s new puppy Lucy! She is a maltese/Shitzu cross and her and Liv are staying here with us for a few days. We love her already!

Long Overdue...

Our summer so far has flown by!
It has been quite awhile, and I know that I am due for a substantial update. Dave is working at the YMCA as the Director of Youth and Children's programs, he is coordinating and running all of their summer camps. It is very busy but he is enjoying working with the kids. I am still at the Y as well, only at a separate child care facility. I have a group of eight 4-year-olds that are absolutely wonderful, they make me laugh every day. Craig (one of Dave's closest friends, and one of the groomsmen in our wedding - they played ball together in New Mexico, Craig is from Australia but has been playing baseball in the states up until last month) has moved here to live with us and it has been great to have him here. He begins his new job tomorrow as a salesman for Hyundai.

I am still struggling with homesickness quite a bit, I guess when you live away from the people you love most (minus Dave of course ;) you never really get used to it. I am praying that God would open up some doors for us to go back home hopefully by next summer. So we'll see.....

As of July 1,we moved into a wonderful place to live in Moose Jaw - finally no more commuting!
We have lots of space (4 bedrooms and a giant rec room/basement with a second bathroom - perfect for all of our future visitors!) and have really enjoyed being closer to everything and everyone here- makes life away a lot easier! I will post more pictures of the other rooms later, but for now here are some of the kitchen and main area.

Her Big Day - May 9th, 2009

My Sister - who is as sweet as she is gorgeous!

Jay Jay and Dad - a wonderful moment caught on film :)

Their beautiful cake (made by Margot) crowned with the cake-topper from my Grandparent's Wedding in August of 1958

Brig, Dave, Myself, Jay, Kyle, Gatty

A fabulous day of celebrating Kyle and Jalen - filled with wonderful people, delicious food, and gorgeous weather!

Easter-Fest '09

This past weekend Brighid came out for a wonderful Easter visit! She came out to see the school, and we got some gorgeous weather almost the entire time she was here (it's raining now Brig, so thanks a lot.)
We had a great time just hanging out, shopping, talking, eating, and laughing. I was reminded of what a fantastic blessing, joy, and friend that Brighid is to both Dave and I.
I love my Brigadoon!

Celebrating Easter together was great- I am so thankful for God's greatest gift to us and the sacrifice made on Calvary so long ago...His love and providence over our lives astounds me!

Here are some pictures from our weekend:

Tea Shower for Jalen

This past weekend my fantastic and wonderfully generous Aunt and Uncle flew me home to surprise Jalen for her very special 'Tea Shower'. It was so great to be back home, even if it was only for a couple of days. My Auntie Terri is the best shower-thrower in the world and had some of the delicious food catered from 'The Secret Garden Tea House' in Kerisdale. Brighid and I helped with some of the preparation (though, to be honest, my Aunt had nearly every detail already taken care of!), and Gatty, Uncle Guy, Kyle (the groom), and Lyle helped as the servers for the afternoon. It was an absolutely fantastic event - and I know Jalen felt like a princess (and not just because of the dollar-store quality tiara I had purchased for her to wear).
While I was home I also got to visit with some of my closest girlie friends, have delicious Maguro sushi with my family, and soak up the lush BC landscape I had missed so dearly.

A little taste of home to help me get through the Spring! Now it's only a week and a1/2 until Brighid is here for Easter, and 5 1/2 weeks until the wedding! Wow...I better get busy with the Matron(how old and grouchy does that sound?!)-of-Honour duties before me.

Here are some of Brighid's photos of the Shower. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day

I love Valentines Day. However, I have found (through many an awkward conversation) that this is not the case for many. There is a certain bitterness and resentment that people carry involving this holiday, and I think it's lame. First of all, this is not a day that needs to revolve around romantic love. I have enjoyed valentine's day, whether single or attached, simply because there are people in my life that I love! I have always seen this holiday as an excuse to make cards, eat chocolate, and wear red. I don't understand why this would be such an epic problem for most people, but believe me, it is. Some of the complaints I heard included "It's all the card companies scamming people for money", and "Flowers are way over priced and the whole holiday is too commercial", and "It just makes people depressed". Ok....so what? Then don't celebrate it. It's that simple. I will continue to celebrate "Love Day" because I have people that I love. I threw a Valentine's Day party for my preschoolers, and they loved being able to bring in a treat, hand out their valentines, and make pretty hearts for their moms and dads. No romance, no drama, just kids having fun and celebrating love.
We did not do anything extravagant(we're not extravagant people! haha), but Dave made me a beautiful dinner at home and we exchanged cards and little gifts, finishing up our evening with a chick flick... of MY choice! So altogether a wonderful day of celebrating. Any excuse is fine by me!

Apologies and Dancing

I am ashamed to say that it has been over a month since I last posted! Needless to say, it has been quite the month, jam-packed with work and school for both Dave and myself.
We are so very happy. We are both feeling incredibly blessed and fortunate for our health, jobs, friends, and family. Oh, and the Kitties, of course. Well, I might be alone on that one.
My job working with preschoolers is absolutely wonderful, I am surprised and encouraged everyday by the new things they are learning about their world and the funny things that they come up with. I will upload some kitty pictures, and a video from work of one of the little boys I work with 'rockin' out' on his pretend guitar, and the girls dancing to the music playing in the backround. Enjoy! (I will post more pictures tomorrow!)

Wrigley and Emilio love to climb... the higher the better!


I couldn't find a way to rotate it! Sorry!