Monday, August 23, 2010

Is Summer Nearly Over

Where has the summer gone? It seems like only yesterday and we were counting down the days until the wedding. And we all know what happens on that day - it goes by in the blink of an eye. And so then I thought I could enjoy August - but that seems to have slipped by as well. Perhaps, it flew by because I was busy with golfing every week; or perhaps I was spending so much time with my beautiful Lyla & handsome Wyatt. These babies have grown and changed so much, every day and I don't and didn't want to miss a day. So I saw them on average 3- 4x a week. Such a lift to a persons soul.
August is more than half over and already the commercials on tv are driving me crazy with the back to school slogans. Jack's granddaughters are looking forward to returning to new schools; old schools but to friends most of all. My nephews in the US don't start until after labour day so they still have a bit of freedom. I just have a short 2 weeks until the conference, to which I'm on the committee will be up and running in Lake Louise. Here Jack gets to come and relax and enjoy one of God's truly majestic places on earth.
But this weekend with a couple of extra days thrown in, we will be out in Kimberly enjoying some hospitality of some dear friends and getting away for a retreat to the end of summer. Or at least I think it will be a retreat...I need to find some books to read. Jack got me to relax yesterday with a variety of movies and pj day (all day). All I had to do was make breakfast and dinner and we snacked and enjoyed funny, serious and "who don'it" kind of flicks. Somehow if the weather isn't good, I can see us doing the same thing in Kimberly.
Regardless of how the summer went, 2010 will be coming to a close very soon. In some way we can reflect back and say it was sad; it was complicated; it was serene; it was breath taking; but most of all it was togetherness. We always come away and say it was our determination as a couple to do things and achieve things - together. I love my life with all the bumps and hiccups along the way and most of all I love my soul mate who is there with me; beside me and most of all respecting me as our journey sometimes goes in many different directions.
Here's to enjoying the last days of the summer of 2010!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Disappointment & Happiness All in One Month

July came and went but not without much sadness and then near the end pure joy and happiness.
We lost getting our new home as we couldn't sell our current place. The market in Calgary has taken a turn for the worse and houses are just sitting on the market. As a home seller you either keep holding out or you drop your price drastically just to encourage real shoppers...too which we weren't prepared to do. So having said that we chose to not sell which meant we had no choice but to not buy our dream home. Fortunately for us, we were able to receive our deposit cheque back in the mail last week. As well, I noticed that our dream house is back in the pool of homes for sale by the builder, with a lovely $40,000 increase in price.....huh?
Then came the highlight that we were all waiting for - Breanne & Marc saying there I DO's! It was such a magical day and the weather was fantastic for the complete weekend. It was a sure joy to walk my beautiful daughter up the aisle (with her dad) and then to have Jack marry them. Jack included a family prayer with all of us and Lyla. Such a beautiful service. One of the highlights was Jack forgetting the rings out in the car and asking me to take his car keys to go and get them....right during the vow part. Needless to say the kids thought he was joking and when the guests started clapping & laughing they knew that he wasn't kidding. So a bit of humor to always remember on their day.
My mom & dad helped out so much in preparing the yard for the rehearsal dinner and then starting the bbq. Thank you for all that you did. The bridal luncheon on the Friday was our special time for just my daughters, my mom and sister. To which my sister made a special toast and gave me a very special gift...just for being her sister. It was a beautiful strand of pearls that she had won at an auction and she said that she didn't need 2 sets. What an amazing sister I have and now a beautiful gift to always know how close we are as sisters.
After all the festivities and feeling very exhausted, Jack and I went to Panorama for a well deserved long weekend. Both of us were both mentally and physically exhausted and enjoyed doing a little visiting but much more - needed rest.
So after much sadness July came to close with my heart & soul being refreshed, enlightened and a feeling of peace. Peace with our life, our journey and most of all a peaceful feeling of knowing that no matter what happens, Jack and I will be just fine. We have so much to live for and to continue searching for our new church family out there. We are both ready to move into our next phase of 2010 and leave the first of half behind us.