Christmas 2006

I can definitely say that this Christmas was very different from any previous Christmas that I can remember. Lots of emotions for my family, high and low, and to me at least, it just didn't feel like Christmas. But none the less, I had a great time with my family. I got a ton of great gifts from my parents and from my sister Rachel (we draw names and she picked me). So, for those of you who like playing board games, come on over.

Christmas is such a good reflection on life. You get to thank God for coming into this world and letting us have a relationship with His Son. It really is just a miracle of life. Sometimes I think and wonder why people don't believe in God. I mean, how could they not? He has shown His powers in so many miraculous and obvious ways. I know we struggle sometimes in whether we believe that there is a God or not, but I think that that is what makes us stronger and more in love with Him and what he represents. If God can forgive us for all the stupid and dumb things we do in life, than why not? Forgiveness is such a struggle. I was just talking to my friend tonight about forgiveness and what it truly means. I think I struggle with forgiveness. There are alot of things in my life right now that I am working through and forgiveness is definitely one of the top on my list. How do you start to forgive someone when they really betrayed you? You can say you forgive but the question is, have you really forgiven them? You become so bitter towards the person who hurt you, that it starts changing the person you really are. I don't even know why and when I became that kind of person. Have I really been hurt that much in my life? I think that is the question I keep asking myself?

You know, these blog things can be dangerous because I feel like I ramble on and on and you become quite vulnerable. I guess that isn't always a bad thing.

Hope everyone's Christmas was good and enjoyable. Now comes all the running and exercise to lose the pounds gained from all the chocolates and candy and Christmas cookies. I really think I ate more chocolate this Christmas than I have my entire life. I don't even like chocolate!

Til next time...

One Year ago....

One year ago at this time, my family and I were preparing our very first trip to Florida. It seems so long ago yet at the same time, it feels like yesterday! For those of you who don't know, my dad promised us (as kids) that when my youngest sister turned 5 years old, he would take us to Florida. Well, Suzie is now 21 so he was a little late. So when nothing was happening, I took matters into my own hands. I went on the internet and booked my family a condo and told them that I booked it for Christmas and that was that.

Going to Disneyland was amazing. We were like children again. It was so great. It was probably a little more fascinating because we had Josiah getting excited about everything. We had 9 adults and 2 children squeezed in a 3 bedroom condo for 10 days. I think the guys were about to go nuts with all the women but it was good for them. It was a good bonding time for our family. We felt a little sorry for the guys so one night a bunch of us went to see the Boston Bruins play and beat the Tampa Lightnings. We also got to see the Spring Training for the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. It was so cool. It would of been better if all the players were there but we can't always get everything we want.

So, this year we are just hanging around. In the cold. With out snow. Not on the beach. Bundled in sweaters. Not in tank tops. Eating turkey, not freezies. Sitting in front of the fireplace. Not on the beach. But still enjoying each others company!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Crazy story

I just experienced the most stressful yet hilarious morning. I left my house nice and early for work so I stopped at Starbucks to enjoy a nice coffee. On my way to work I look at my gas gage and it made me a little nervous because it was pretty much at empty and the light was on but I totally thought that I would have enough gas to make it to Grimsby so on I went. Well, by the time I got to Beamsville I was getting a little anxious because I still had another 8 and some kilometres to go. So I decided to stop in Beamsville to get myself some gas. Just as I was pulling off the highway and up the ramp, my car dies. There I am, sitting in my car on the side of the road wearing heels with no gas in my car. So I get out of my car thinking that I am strong enough to push my car across the bridge, down the bridge and into the gas station. Not going to happen. I couldnt even move my car an inch on my own. So I start trying to flag people down to help me. I couldn't believe how many cars passed right by me without a second glance. So, because of my unbelieveably good looks (haha), a young guy pulls over and helps me push my car across the bridge, down the bridge and into the gas station.

My words of advice: If your gas light is on and your needle is at empty, go fill up with gas!

Countdown begins. . . .

It is officially 1 week until Christmas Day. I cannot believe how fast December came and went. I have already been to at least 4 Christmas parties and I have 4 more to go (that is not counting our numerous family gatherings coming up). You would think I would be getting tired of them, but I am not.

Last night I had my Lifeteam Christmas Party and it was sooooo much fun (for those of you who don't know what Lifeteam is, it is like a Bible Study group that gets together on a weekly basis to encourage and strengthen relationships within the church and with each other). We played the game "Scruples" which is my new favourite game. We laughed lots and learned alot about each other. It was great! We also shared what we were thankful for this past year and what we were hoping for in 2007. It was really neat and encouraging to hear what my team was thankful for and also just to see what I said. I really didn't know what I was going to say until I was saying it. I think everyone in the group had said friendships. I was reading over my previous posts and I mention alot about friendships. I have come to realize just how important they are in one's life. I have been really blessed these last few months with amazing friends. I have made new ones and I have "rekindled" old ones. I think Christmas just brings this out in people. It is seasons like this when we think back on our year and reflect on all that God has provided for us. This has been one tough, challenging, frustrating, amazing, strengthening and encouraging year. Aren't those the best!

Sisters

I just wanted to say how much I love my sisters! It is the best feeling knowing that they love you regardless of your mistakes and countless mood swings. We are all quite alike so sometimes we aren't the best of friends but we always come together when we really need each other.

So, thank you Julie, Rachel and Suzanne for being the most amazing sisters! I love you all so much!

Christmas Party

On Friday night, I had my first Christmas Party at my place. It was alot of fun and it was good to have a full house. I love having people over. Here are a few pictures.

Have you heard of the game "Scruples"?? It is such a fun game and it is also a game where you can really get to know each other.

Above is my cousin David and his girlfriend Val. Thanks so much for coming both of you. Next picture is me and my friend Annelise. And then me and Steph.

Thanks everyone for coming! The food and the company was great!

Kamryn Loewen

I had the pleasure to go out for breakfast with my dear friend Janelle this morning. Her and her husband Rod and their daughter Kamryn flew all the way over from Saskatchewan to celebrate Christmas with Rod's family. It had been a long time since I had seen any of them. Little Kamryn was only a baby last time I saw her and now look at her. She is all grown up and talking. She is saying cheese to the camera. Thanks Janelle for an awesome time. The talk was great and it was so nice catching up with you. I hope you have an awesome time with your family and getting to know your new niece!

My apartment

I know I had promised some of you that I would post pictures of my apartment so here they are. I have been out for just over 2 months now and I love it. It has taken me sometime to really make the place feel like my own and I am still getting there. I have my dad over all the time with little jobs to do. So, there it is.

Confusion

Life is so confusing and unpredictable sometimes. Just when you think you have life figured out, something gets thrown at you and you are caught off guard. Do all things happen for a reason? I always thought of myself as a pretty decisive person, but these days I can not seem to make up my mind about anything. There are so many things going on in my life that I know I have to deal with but I hate conflict and I am not a huge fan of change. It is times like this where we really have to rely on God's strength and not our own. Maybe God puts us in situations like this to learn how to trust Him and depend on Him. God is pretty amazing!