:: State Of Emergency ::

Some of you may have heard on the news about the flooding we are having in town. We pass this gas station on the way to church and last night when we were driving around survey's the chaos, the water in that same spot was was a couple feet deep

http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/bc-flooding/#clip237803

Never seen anything like this in the 15 years that I've been here!

It was Thursday afternoon that they declared a State of Emergency but it looks like, weather permitting, things are looking up.

{ In My Next Life }

As if seeing New Moon wasn't enough, tonight my bestie and I are going to see the one and only Terri Clark in concert at the local theater. The coolest thing about tonight is that it is a Vancouver Island Exclusive. Meaning she's only playing here on the island.I think she's completely fabulous and am really looking forward to our evening. I'll be sure to try and get a couple good shots and post them for you! We're also going to the Santa Claus parade this afternoon with Denay so stay tuned for pictures from that as well!

Happy Weekend!

:: New Moon Mania ::

Thursday night was a day that I had been waiting for since the summer when I first read the Twilight series. Ask anybody that knows me well and they will tell you I simply do not read romance/fantasy books, ever. The only reason I ended up with Twilight in my hands was because I was desperate to have something to read for the rest of our holiday and borrowed it from a friend. Long story short I was quickly hooked and could barely wait for New Moon to come out. I had started re-reading Twilight a couple weeks ago and finished in time to pick up New Moon and refresh myself. I also borrowed the Twilight movie from my friend Megan (to the left of me in the picture) and watched it not once, but twice this past week.

We were lucky enough to get tickets for the sneak preview! Megan called me on Tuesday morning and asked if I wanted a "Team Edward" shirt. I asked her if she was getting one and with a laugh we both decided we would do it.

I left early on Thursday evening to give myself lots of time to get there in the torrential down pour and also to get a few errands done. I arrived at the theater at 7:00 and met Megan and her group of co-workers in line. Apparently one of the girls had paid her teenage brother to get in line at 1:00 in the afternoon to hold a good spot in line for us and thanks to him we were the second group in line.

:: Team Edward :: Keep in mind that the youngest lady in this group was me at 25 :)

They let us in at 9:00ish and at 10:00 the lights went down and the screaming started. I was really worried that silly teenagers would scream during the movie and ruin it for me but surprisingly that didn't happen.

By the time the last scene rolled around, I could hardly breathe and then, it was over. Black screen and gasping all around the theater.

We had a ridiculously good time laughing and acting like we were a lot younger than we are!

The movie? Loved it......of course the book was way better but they followed the story line really well and even quoted the book verbatim a handful of times.

Not going to lie, I'll probably watch it in the theater again ;)

:: Birthdays and Parties and Desserts, Oh My! ::

A couple weekends ago the family jumped a boat to the mainland to celebrate, well, a lot of birthdays!

Saturday night was P&S's celebration. We enjoyed a ridiculously good roast beef dinner complete with gravy, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and more! Then two different desserts and homemade ice cream. If any of ya'll don't know, this gal is a big fan of dessert :) Jacob and Denay were serenading us on the piano as well.....Trev was working the camera while I used S's for the cake shot. He's still learning!

Then Sunday was Cole's big 2nd birthday bash! It was farm themed and S* took it to the max! You can click the photos to enlarge......make sure to get a good look at the awesome cake in the lower right of this collage.

Presents and candles.

It's so fun watching Denay really start to interact with her cousins more and more!

On another note: sorry for the lack of quantity and interesting-ness (not a word, I know) on my blog as of late and for my serious lack of commenting as well! I honestly don't think I've ever had so many things going on at one time in my life and blogging has quite obviously taken the back seat. I've got one more week before I leave for back to back weekends of Cranberry Creek but I'll do my best to get you all updated before the madness begins again! Hope you're not getting too soggy *wink* with our above average rainfall. I don't want to start a panic, but if this keeps up, I think we're going to sink ;)

Handpainted and Perfect

During one of my breaks, I came across a booth full of signs. I had noticed people walking around with them and I fell in love. I made my way over and got to pick out the colors of the panel, the lettering and the decals. This is how it turned out......

I obviously don't have it hung yet but I can't wait to get it up! There's something to be said for unique, handcrafted stuff.

:: Lest We Forget ::

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scare heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, and saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

"They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We Will Remember Them."

I moved to tears a number of times as we took part in the Remembrance Day ceremony in town. So many husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and our world. Not only in the past, but in our present, young lives are being taken in the name of freedom and liberation.

I'll be really honest and say that it hurts me when people simply see this as another day off. If you are reading this then you are only separated by a member of our armed forces who has served overseas, and seen comrades fall, by one degree. I am the proud sister to a soldier.

It only takes half hour out of the day to take the time to respect those who gave us what we enjoy today, our freedom. Yet to some it seems irrelevant or pointless.

I would challenge you to take some time to look around at what we enjoy in the country, and let your heart break a little for the families that were broken for your freedom.

Lest, we forget.

Oh, How He Loves

I heard this song for the first time a couple weeks ago at the Praise 106.5 Praise Gathering at our church. Then I heard it again sung by David Crowder on the radio. While we were on the mainland this weekend for family birthdays, my SIL brought this video to my attention and it's just so powerful that I wanted to share.

{ Big Little Girl }

On the 31rst Trev put Denay in a little track suit with a tail on the pants and ears on the hood and took her to the Trunk or Treat event at our church and let her wander around before taking her to my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday.

While we were in Red Deer, Grammie bought Denay this adorable hand painted puzzle chair and as soon as she saw it she knew it was hers and it didn't take her long to figure out how to get in and out of it.

This wee girl has also discovered coloring. She doesn't quite get it yet but it's sure fun watching her figure it out.

It's hard to believe that she turned 16-months-old yesterday and before I know it she will be two! I continue to be grateful that I am able to be home with her and raise her and watch her change and grow. She's becoming increasingly more independent and insists on feeding herself most of the time now.

What a delight she is to me.

:: 2010 Torch Relay ::

While I was away in Red Deer with CC, the relay for the Olympic Torch came through town. I can't tell you how this small town girl felt when she saw her unknown city pop up on the national news while in another province. Trevor took Denay down to the rally and they all seemed to have a great time!

These are police officer friends of ours on security duty.

You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them as well! Part of me really wishes that I had been here but I have very mixed feelings about the whole thing so maybe it worked out that I wasn't here. Regardless, it sounds like it was a pretty neat event for our spot on the map!

:: Checking In ::

Hey all......just checking in real quick here. I got back from Red Deer on Monday and haven't really had time to slow down and it's not looking like I'm going to until next week.
The show (but mostly the people I got to work with) were completely awesome but I am so very glad to be home!
Lots and lots happened while I was away including my dad's birthday, my nephew Cole's birthday, Halloween, the Olympic Torch coming to my teeny little town and some adorable fixin's that I came home with........so if you will bear with me I am working on getting myself organized and I hope to have something to you shortly.
Hope this finds you all well and healthy!

All My Bag Are Packed.....

Okay, that title isn't completely true. If you want the truth, I'm peddling around on the Internet eating Halloween candy and totally avoiding packing altogether :) I'm making my absolute favourite childhood meal tonight for us and my parents as a small farewell and that needs tending to as well.

Anyways, I thought it was high-time for a post about my baby girl.

If this collage doesn't make you laugh or at least smile, then I'd like to offer you a free hug.

Denay gets more and more delightful every day and she is smart as a whip.

Her vocabulary is.....

Momma

Dadda

Anay (Denay)

Opa

Oma

Almo (Elmo the cat)

Owww (meow)

Mmm (moo)

Baaa

Uppee (up please)

Mee Mee (Grammie)

Bobob (Grampy)

Awna (Auntie Shawna)

Bice (Auntie Brice)

Hi (always with a smile and a wave)

Bub Buy (bye bye)

Nana (banana)

Beebee (baby)

buu buh (bubbles)

boh (ball)

No

Ya

Puppee

Happy

Abby (one of her friends)

I'm sure there are more but I'm drawing a blank. She doesn't need to be told more than a couple time before she picks up a simple word and she understands almost everything you say to her. I can ask her to find her water, put her diaper in the garbage, her socks in the laundry, or to go sit in her chair and she will do it. She doesn't do strings of words put together but can say things like "Hi Opa" or " No Mamma".

She loves books more and more everyday and has recently discovered coloring so this mamma has got to get some supplies for her girly next week!

Anyways, now I really really need to get going. This is farewell until next week at least.....if you think of it, I'd appreciate any prayers for safe travels and strength for my trip. This whole being away from my favourite people is really hard.

Bless you all my friends.....know that you are dear to me and I am praying for you!

:: Thanksgiving 2009 ::

As promised, here is a recap of our Thanksgiving this year. Trevor and I got back from Vancouver late Sunday night from Cranberry Creek . Trev's mom had suggested that my parents join us on the mainland with the baby for dinner with his family but my mom was working and since I was coming back over for my learning session with Jamie Delaine on Tuesday, we decided to come home. Monday was spent doing a lot of nothing.......since it was my mom's birthday that Friday, I decided that as a gift, I would kill two birds with one stone and make a turkey dinner.

Here is the table all set and ready........

Everything went off without a hitch! I made turkey with stuffing, vegetables, gravy and cranberry sauce and my dad made mashed potatoes. I also made a dutch apple pie from scratch and served warm with ice cream of course!

I stuffed myself so full I couldn't believe it.

Yay turkey dinner!

On another note, and I know all you FB fans will already know this, but I would like to invite you to check out my new blog under my new photography name. There isn't a long story as to why I switched names, just got considering the long term and felt really good about using my own name. So come check out Christy Joy Photography. Thanks again for all your support and encouragement!

I'll try and update again for before I leave tomorrow.....Happy Tuesday!

Blessed

Thanks to the ladies who sent me some love yesterday! I so needed to get to my computer this morning to see comments that need moderating.

We're laying low today......taking care of laundry and housework in prep for me trip. I'm trying to put together a Christmas/birthday list for my family as well as get some more blogging done but I wanted to share a revelation and encouragement that God gave me this morning.

Almost every morning, I read the Psalms and Proverb of the day out loud while I feed Denay breakfast. There is so much wisdom packed into those two books and I love having that read aloud in my house. The system (that I learned in youth group years ago) is to start in Psalms and read the chapter that corresponds to the days date then keep adding 30 until you can add anymore. So today I started with Psalm 26 then read Psalm 56, then 86, then 116 then 146 and then I jump over to Proverbs and read chapter 26. I would recommend it if you need more wisdom in your life, I know I do!

Anyways, even though they aren't really connected, I always find a theme between all these random chapters. This morning God made it very clear that he is gracious and compassionate. The simply divine truth of those two words has been such a blessing in the few hours I've been up and at this day.

We serve a God that is faithfully gracious and always compassionate.

Thank you Father!

{ I Can't Think Of Anything To Title This Post.....}

.......except that I am ashamed that I haven't posted anything on here for my readers since October 12th.

We're getting ready to head out to the Praise 106.5 Praise Gathering at our church tonight so I only have a minute but I wanted to throw something up here so you all don't abandon me!

I got back from Cranberry Creek and never really caught up with life. I've been working hard chipping away on a newly created to do list that I established for myself during my 1-on-1 session with Jamie Delaine a couple weeks ago. She fanned the flame of passion I have in my heart for photography and I'm really hoping to be able to invite you to my new blog with my new name before I leave with CC for Red Deer on Wednesday.

But beside that I have been ever busy raising the sweetest little thing on the planet! That girl learns a new word almost everyday (right now we are working on the names of her Uncles and Tantes) and she picks this up so fast.

On Saturday we stopped by the pumpkin patch and started, what I hope will be, a family tradition.

I love this one! Thanks to my momma for coming to the patch with us to take some family shots!

Then we headed over to my Opa and Oma's for dinner and got a ride on Opa's digger!
And we had a very special visit with Auntie Brice all the way from Manitoba.

The last few weeks have held a baby shower for my best friend, lots of church goings on with MOPS and GEMS and prayer and Trev's young men's bible study as well as lots of dance classes and practises to get ready for the Olympics.

I've planned to plan nothing in between now and Red Deer except packing and soaking up time with my baby before I leave her again.

I'm also going to try and get some Thanksgiving pictures up here before then as well.

Thanks for sticking by me through my drought :) And if you do still love me feel free to leave me a comment so I know the world hasn't imploded and you are all still here.

:: Catch Up ::

Hello Lovelies! I hope you had a wonderful and family filled Thanksgiving weekend.....I obviously survived my first show of the season with Cranberry Creek but I think it'll be a few more days before I'm fully recovered. The weekend had a particular high note when half way through my third eleven hour day (and first break in five hours) my dear husband suddenly appeared. His family had been secretly planning to have him come work the last two days of the show. We also got to have the hotel room to ourselves Saturday night as Trev's parents had gone to a birthday party. We got to my parents house (they were watching the baby) at around 9:30 Sunday night and this mamma wept tears of joy when I finally got to hold my princess again. Man, did I miss her. We had a really low key day today and just hung out together. A few errands, a little laundry and some tidying, a nap, a comfort food dinner and a walk to a friends house and lots of playing in between was just the ticket! My mom was working so I am going to *gulp* cook her a turkey dinner for her birthday on Friday night and I can't wait!

:: My mom took these shots of us at church a few weeks ago ::

Today was the only down day I've got this week......tomorrow is (weather permitting) a walk with some fabulous mommies and then off to the mainland again for a 1-on-1 session with the very prestigious Jamie Delaine of Jamie Delaine Photography on Wednesday. I am nervous and excited and am looking forward to all this very talented girl can teach me.

The rest of the week holds bible study, shopping for a turkey dinner and then cooking a turkey dinner as well as a dance class, lunch with old friends and hosting a baby shower for a very special friend and her adorable daughter on Sunday.

Things are moving so fast around here but each day I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. It's true that absence makes the heart grow fonder and being home again after being away has deepened my love for my role as wife and SAHM and has again re-shifted my priorities and focus.

I'll try to get back on this week and update my photography blog with some of the shoots I've had in the past month and please feel free to pass along any advice or pointers on how to cook a turkey :)

Have a wonderful week friends!

:: The Amazing Race - Week Two ::

So we are two weeks in to The Amazing Race 15 and Sunday's episode was good but uneventful. The teams made their way to Ho Chi Minh city where they had to find this water puppet theater and snag their clue from the mouths of one of the dragons. That clue send them to the main post office in the city where they had a detour and needed to choose between two tasks. All the teams but one chose to transport and animal statue across a local park collecting different colored balloons on their way. Almost all made it without incident but one giraffe did take a tumble.
Then they headed back into the city where one team member had to breakdown and sort an old VCR for recycling. All the teams had no trouble with this bit. Unfortunately, their choice to do the other option and spell a Vietnemese word proved to be the end for Marcy and Ron and they were sent home
They were one of our favourite teams and it was looking close for Lance and Keri to fall into last but ended up hitting the mat just before Marcy and Ron. We're hoping their last place finish will see them gone next week as they proved to be at each other's throat significantly more than the rest of teams who were getting along great. I worry for their future marriage :)
The Harlem Globetrotters Flight Time and Big Easy took first by a couple seconds thanks to their long legs that won a footrace between them and Meghan and Cheyne. Gary and Matt (father and son) finished third, Mika and Canaan (dating couple) came seventh and Zev and Justin finished eighth.
I don't know that I'm going to be able to catch next weeks episode but will glean what I can and do a recap.

Who are you favourite picks? And not-so-favourite picks?

{ Alive and Well }

I have to say that I'm really sorry my last post was a week ago and it was about a TV show. I don't really know what's been keeping me away from you all! There's been lots going on and we're preparing for a very busy week and month ahead.

Our little monkey will be 15 months on Saturday and I just can't believe it. She's learning animal sounds and can "moo" (which comes out like more of a mmmm), "baa" and I just taught her "meow" today. This is what she does when I ask her to smile for the camera..... I somehow managed to get a cancellation appointment with my hairstylist Jen today and asked her to do something really different. I'm still really feeling the itch to dye it (a medium ashy brown) and was hoping that a drastic cut would scratch that but time will tell.

This is the shortest I've ever had my hair and I love it.....pretty sure my husband loves it too ;)

I've got mom's group tomorrow and errands to run before leaving for Vancouver to work the four day craft show with my inlaws. I'd appreciate a quick one minute prayer as I am a little anxious to be away from my family for four straight days.

God is also doing a lot of amazing things in this house and I continue to be amazed at how submitting to His guidelines for my role as a wife and mother completely transforms things! He is so good.

I hope you're still praying on Thursdays at 12:30. I continue to see the enemy attacking marriages around me and we need to stand by our brothers and sisters.

I'm still waiting for pictures on the CBS website to do my Amazing Race recap but it may have to be picture-less.

Be blessed friends and I will be back!

:: The Amazing Race - Week One ::

I'm not a huge fan of reality shows but the month of September brings with it the only one we watch in our house: The Amazing Race.

Last year we started a tradition with two other couples and every Sunday night they come over and we watch it together. We like to pick our favourites and not so favourites and near the end we each choose our pick for the winner.....it's become a really great night of spending time with good friends.

So, just for fun, each Monday I'm going to do a recap/reviews of Sunday's episode and update on our favourite teams!

This season started with a bang......all twelve teams were lined up waiting to for Phil to say "Go!" and leave Los Angeles for the race of their lives. Then Phil drops a bomb that there are only 11 tickets to Tokyo (their first destination) and that one team will be eliminated right away. The teams had to search through 1000 license plates and find one of the 11 that had Japanese symbols for their first city. It took the teams a while to realize the symbol was printed right on the clue!

Eric and Lisa (married yoga instructors) were the team left without a ticket. We didn't like them from right from the start so were glad they didn't even get out of LA.The teams flew to Tokyo where they participated in a Japanese game show then had to guide 20 tourists across the busiest intersection in Tokyo to a nearby temple.

Poker players Maria and Tiffany were the last to arrive and were missing two tourists. They incurred a two-hour penalty for checking in without their whole group but found out it was a non-elimination round!The next day the teams were off to Vietnam. After landing they took cabs to a bus station where the were split onto two buses. The second bus bribed their driver to leave an hour early only to get to the boat dock to find it doesn't open until morning. So the teams waited it out on patio chairs all night for the gate to open. While all the teams boarded boats for a nearby fruit farm, Maria and Tiffany had special task to complete for being the last team to arrive. The managed to catch up quickly and met the others teams who were busy covering fruit tree roots with fertilizing mud. The teams took their boat back and then needed to find a field were they had to herd ducks through a course in ten minutes. Many of the teams struggled while a few had no problem.

In the end Garrett and Jessica (on and off couple) were the last to check in and were eliminated. Which, again, was fine with us as we didn't get a good vibe from them.

Our favourite teams so far are.......

Mika and Canaan - a newly dating couple from Nashville. He is a songwriter (with a hit on the Billboard right now) and she is an aspiring singer, both are Christians. They are just so cute but did have a few disappointing moments with how they spoke to each other and about some other teams.

Zev and Justin - best friend from California. Zev doesn't work and Justin in a VP of Productions. Zev has Aspergers Syndrome and their relationship is so real and wonderful, and hilarious! I'm really rooting for these two!

Meghan and Cheyne - a dating couple from California. She an Account Executive and he is a Brand Manager. They have known each other since elementary school and are finally seeing if they can be more.

Marcy and Ron - newly dating couple that met on the Internet. She is in Advertising Photography and he is a Stock Trader and Math tutor. They are just fun and sweet and we like them.

Brian and Erick - married couple and we're not big fans. Not sure why really but they just don't seem to treat each other well and that doesn't go over with us.

Lance and Keri - engaged couple and we don't love them either. They are cocky and rude and Lance even called Maria and Tiffany "bastards". Not cool. Wouldn't be sad to see them go.

The other teams include gay brothers who were raised Christian; two Harlem Globetrotter players (so funny); and a father son team trying to make up for lost time (great team as well).
So far the teams are getting along.

Check back next week to find out what happened. I think it's going to be a great season!

| Denay Catherine - 14 Months |

Well friends, late as usual, I'm posting Denay at 14 months......she has become such a sponge for everything and is learning things so quickly!

A few weeks ago she showed interest in wanting "uppease" into the rocking chair in her room so I hoisted her up which followed with an immediate request for a book and her blankie. Well she sat there without making a peep for almost 45 minutes!

I took these on Saturday when we visited Pacific Northwest Raptors......
(click to enlarge)

At 14 months, Denay......

• is totally stable walking and getting down/up on small steps by herself

• says mumma, daddee, oma and opa, upeease (up), ya, no, nana (banana), nigh-nigh (night night)

• can sign more, please, milk/drink, all done, eat, and book and I trying to teach her "help" so she stops screeching when something is wrong

just learned to shake hands and she also loves to clap for herself

can "praise Jesus" and she puts her hands up in the air which also works when we say"touchdown"

LOVES to dance and just yesterday I taught her to spin in a circle

pulls her hair when I ask her where her hair is and has almost figured out where her nose is

can blow kisses and if you ask for a kiss she leans in with her mouth open and hugs as well

• when she hears a train whistle or plane she stops and points to the sky

is still in size three diapers and still wears some of her six month clothes but wears mostly 12 months clothes that are a little big and wears size three shoes

still has four teeth (two middle top and two middle bottom)

is up around eight and usually in bed around eight and had been napping twice a day until this week where she seems to not want to nap at all

is a bit of a picky eater (like her mamma)

love love loves to "read". I had her at friends place to today and they have a three shelf tall toy storage cabinet and all she wanted were the books

has ticklish armpits and feet and ribs (if you get the right spot)

• is completely attached to her thumb and blankie and had a total breakdown in nursery on Sunday (and again today at MOPS) because she didn't have it with her

I'm sure there is most but I'm also sure you're getting bored :)

Anyways, the minute I saw how happy she was reading her book in the rocking chair I got right on the Internet and starting looking for something perfect for her new room. Naturally I hit up Target and found this adorable and perfect children's chair......and what a perfect Christmas present it will be! No idea how we're going to afford it but at $119 I just can't pass it up!

Anyways.....I'm going to be late for my prayer meeting! Hope you are all enjoyed our very summer first day of fall.....can't wait for another hot one tomorrow!

Bless you all!