Ah the neverending processing....

I'm really really struggling with some hardcore self-esteem issues right now (thank goodness it'll be counselling time yet again on Tuesday). Until then though I was needing something to keep me going because I can't stop the yucky, continuous tape that seems to be playing in my mind right now. While on my treadmill this morning I decided to grab something to read. Normally I just listen to music but I felt like I needed more than that today. So for some reason I grabbed my premarital workbook. Thought it would be interesting to revisit some of my responses and it certainly was. Anyways here's my quote to get me through until I can get to the root of the issue in counselling.

"You are so important to God that even if you were the only person on the face of the earth He still would have sent His son to die for you".


*** Off to Halifax tomorrow....no rain in the forecast and it's only going up to 21....whoo hoo!!!! Happy Canada Day everyone, hope you all have a great time! (not sure where in Canada has palm trees...anyone else know? ha ha ha)

I'm back.....

Hey everyone thanks for the messages wishing me well on my trip and for saying that you're going to miss the blogging. To be honest sometimes I think that what I write on here is pointless. However it seems as though sometimes some things I post are an inspiration or joy to some of you. So I will continue....

Since my camera was busted my sister has all the pictures from our journey on her camera. As soon as I get those from her I'll be posting about our trip so hang tight. We had a great time and I can't wait to relive it through blogging!

The day before I left we finally had a painter come to do our living room, kitchen and dining room. For those of you that have not been here before we have high ceilings so we needed to hire someone to do the work. Anyways, I'm really excited because it's finally done!!!! We've been living here for almost a year now and now I can finally start making this huge, beautiful space my own. I just didn't want to hang anything or decorate until this was done. Oh and on my trip I found an IKEA (I called Jason just before I went in and told him that I was not to be held responsible for my actions.....he responded with "you found an IKEA didn't you...ha ha ha). So I bought a coffee table, two end tables and a bookcase to display all my pottery that is still wrapped up to add to this space.

Anyways, enough of the rambling. Here are before and after pictures of the room. Now on with the decorating!

Off to Halifax for the weekend....hopefully no rain on Sunday for the outdoor concert!!!!

Ah summertime....

This is the first time that I ever remember being excited for summer. I mean sure there used to be things that I was excited about during a summer, but this one, although it's getting full of stuff, I'm so excited about all of the time that we'll have with close friends in mini trips around the maritimes.

My first yay moment will be on Tuesday morning. I'm leaving Jason behind so that sucks, but my sister and I are headed on a plane to Tampa Florida. We'll be spending a few days in Florida with my dad and then we're going to drive back up to Canada in the motorhome, of course making some stops along the way. I think Washington DC is in the plan. I really want to go to the Holocaust museum. Anyways, we'll see what happens. It's going to be a quick trip because I'll only be gone for 8 days but it will be fun none the less. Don't worry my sister's camera isn't sitting in Canon's repair shop so I'll be posting pics when I get back.

Then two days after I get back Jason and I are off to Halifax for the weekend with some of our close friends to go see Daughtry (spelling?...dude from American Idol), Finger Eleven, Staind, Default and Nickelback on Canada Day at Citadel Hill. Mandi and I bought matching T-shirts for the event, let's hope she doesn't forget it :) Can't wait...it's going to be fun!

So this is my way of saying, do not expect any blogging until the first week of July. In the meantime I'll leave you with a quote to ponder: (I love this quote...yay fair trade!)

"The longings of your heart are not incidental;
they are critical messages.
The desires of your heart are not to be ignored,
they are to be consulted.
As the wind turns the weather vane,
so God used your passions to turn your life." (Max Lucado)

Who knew this chick that used to hang out with skinheads would be so passionate about Africa and helping others get the justice and freedom they deserve. Oh God I have only praise for you!!!!

How hot is he....

Ha ha ha I couldn't help myself. I was reminded of this beautiful picture that was taken at last year's yard sale. What a guy! (remember those Fischer Price roller skates when you were a kid)

Where does the time go....

I have no idea how some people have enough time in their life to post on their blogs regularly. I'm so neglectful with this....thanks for your patience everyone!

A couple of years ago Jason bought me a book for my birthday. I was so mad because I hate reading. I cannot stand to pick up a book. However over the years I've realized that it's not reading I hate, it's relaxing. I hate relaxing because I just cannot let myself go enough to do it (hmmm perhaps why I don't take the time to blog when I should).

So when I went to workshops I was wishing that I had something to read before I went to bed instead of the nightly yap chats that Jason and I have. So I was quickly reminded by the book that Jason had got me that year for my birthday that was tucked down in a drawer. The book is called "The Worn Out Woman: When Your Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty" (probably another reason why I was angry when I received this for my birthday). Clearly my wonderful husband was recognizing what I'm just learning.

Finally my workaholic, people pleasing, Mrs. Fix It, approval addict, or whatever other label you'd like to give it have gotten the best of me. I NEED THIS BOOK! I'm thinking that it may be the first book that I actually fully read. Who knows, anything is possible :)

K, enough of the rambling here's the my hit home and really make me think favorite part thus far:

"Life will always be full of expectations, your own and others'. How you respond to them will determine how worn out you become. The key, of course, is to stop letting others control you through their expectations. Instead, you can listen to God, trust Him, obey Him, be guided by His expectations. He is the one who knows all things, understands all things, and can help you through all things- the only one who can keep the octopus of expectations off your back."

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes.....

(if any of you started singing a song because of the title I'm really impressed)

For Christmas my co-worker gave me an awesome gift. It was a certificate stating that he would come and help me with my flowerbeds in the spring. To some of you who have a green thumb this may not be a big deal. However to me it was great! So today Brian and Irene came to clean out of the nastiness in my flowerbeds and around my trees. Again wish I had some pictures of the before and after but the camera is still broken :( The best part about the whole morning is that I learned lots so I feel as though this won't be so overwhelming next year. Now I've just got to buy some sheep poop and mulch. Any volunteers to come held spread the sheep manure? Thanks for the lesson and help Brian and Irene!

Another project.....

I almost titled this post another addition but didn't want any of you to get too excited thinking I'm pregnant!

Well why not jump back into reality after I get home from a tiring week at workshops? Jason decided Saturday night, right after I got home, that he and a couple of friends should build the deck I had been asking for on Sunday. So sure enough yesterday the guys built me a 12x12 deck. We have a deck that wraps around our house. However I cannot fit a patio set on it. So this new extension is exactly what I had been wanting. Now I just better use it after all the hard work they put into it :) Unfortunately I do not have any pictures since our camera is busted right now and on it's way back to Canon. However it's probably best since it was a hot day and the shirts were removed eek! What did I do yesterday? Cooked, baked and cooked some more. I figured it's the least that I could do for the guys who were willing to dedicate their day off to help for free. So I kept their bellies full and did Jason's laundry. Oh what a great housewife I am! I actually love doing it, it's very fun for me to see the excitement on their faces with my creations. Now how can I get paid to stay at home and do this kind of stuff all the time? A question many of you are asking as well right? I better have a child first before I start dreaming about this :)